ILLINOIS  WESLEYAN 

UNIVERSITY. 

Alcove Case Shelf 


No. 


Current  No 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/chronicleofconqu00irvi_1 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


PEOPLE’S  EDITION. 


OlLTt  of  lions,  Allambr  s ■ 


PHILADELPHIA 
J,  B,  LIPPING  OTT  ci  CO. 


CHRONICLE 


OF  THE 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


FROM  THE  MSS.  OF 

FRAY  ANTONIO  AGAPIDA 


BY 

WASHINGTON  IRVING. 


fr 


AUTHOR’S  REVISED  EDITION 


PHILADELPHIA  : 


VP 

1=23 
.X7 
I ■3  73 


J.  B.  LIPPING  OTT  & CO, 

tel'nofs  ^esTamh 
Bloomington,, 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1850,  by 
Washington  Irving, 

the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  foi 
the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER  I. 


PAOl 

Of  the  Kingdom  of  Granada,  and  the  Tribute  which  it  1 
paid  to  the  Castilian  Crown 


CHAPTER  II. 

Of  the  Embassy  of  Don  Juan  de  Vera  to  demand  Arrears 

of  Tribute  from  the  Moorish  Monarch  • • • 9 

chapt6r  hi. 

Domestic  Feuds  in  the  Alhambra.  — Rival  Sultanas.  — 
Predictions  concerning  Boabdil,  the  Heir  to  fhe 
Throne. — How  Ferdinand  meditates  War  against 
Granada,  and  how  he  is  anticipated ....  15 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Expedition  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan  against  the  Fortress 

of  Zahara  . • . . . . . • .20 

CHAPTER  V. 

Expedition  of  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  against  Alhama  . 26 

CHAPTER  VL 

How  the  People  of  Granada  were  affected  on  hearing  of 
the  Capture  of  Alhama;  and  how  the  Moorish  King 
sallied  forth  to  regain  it  38 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

How  the  Duke  of  Medina  Sidonia,  and  the  Chivalry  of 
Andalusia,  hastened  to  the  Relief  of  Alhama  , 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Sequel  of  the  Events  at  Alhama  . • • • • 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Events  at  Granada,  and  Rise  of  the  Moorish  King  Boab- 
dil  el  Chico 

CHAPTER  X. 

Koval  Expedition  against  Loxa 

CHAPTER  XL 

How  Muley  Ahul  Hassan  made  a Foray  into  the  Lands 
of  Medina  Sidonia,  and  how  he  was  received  . 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Foray  of  Spanish  Cavaliers  among  the  Mountains  of 
Malaga  . 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Effects  of  the  Disasters  among  the  Mountains  of  Malaga 
CHAPTER  XIV. 

How  King  Boabdil  el  Chico  marched  over  the  Border  . 
CHAPTER  XV. 

How  the  Count  de  Cabra  sallied  forth  from  his  Castle  in 
Quest  of  King  Boabdil 

CHAPTER  XVI. 


PAGB 

47 

53 

59 

63 

74 

83 

100 

105 

lie 


The  Battle  of  Lucena 


117 


CONTENTS, 


Vll 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Lamentations  of  the  Moors  for  the  Battle  of  Ijucena  • 
CHAPTER  XVIII. 

How  Muley  Abul  Hassan  profited  by  the  Misfortunes 
of  his  Sou  Boabdil 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Captivity  of  Boabdil  el  Chico 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Of  the  Treatment  of  Boabdil  by  the  Castilian  Sovereigns 
CHAPTER  XXI. 

Return  of  Boabdil  from  Captivity 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Foray  of  the  Moorish  Alcaydes,  and  Battle  of  Lopera  . 
CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Retreat  of  Hamet  el  Zegri,  Alcayde  of  Ronda  . 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Of  the  Reception  at  Court  of  the  Count  de  Cabra  and  the 
Alcayde  de  los  Donceles 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

How  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  concerted  to  surprise  Zahara, 
and  the  Result  of  his  Enterprise  .... 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Of  the  Fortress  ef  Alhama,  and  how  wisely  it  was  gov- 
erned by  the  Count  de  Tendilla  .... 


rAOB 

127 

133 

136 

142 

147 

154 

166 

171 

176 


166 


viii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

PAGH 

t oray  of  Christian  Knights  into  the  Territory  of  the 

Moors . 190 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Attempt  of  El  Zagal  to  surprise  Boabdil  in  Almeria  . 198 
CHAPTER  XXIX. 

How  King  Ferdinand  commenced  another  Campaign 
against  the  Moors,  and  how  he  laid  Siege  to  Coin 


and  Cartama 203 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Siege  of  Ronda . . 219 

CHAPTER  XXXL 


How  the  People  of  Granada  invited  El  Zagal  to  the 

Throne,  and  how  he  marched  to  the  Capital  . . 218 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

How  the  Count  de  Cabra  attempted  to  capture  another 

King,  and  how  he  fared  in  his  Attempt  . . . 224 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Expedition  against  the  Castles  of  Cambil  and  Alabahar  233 
CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Enterprise  of  the  Knights  of  Calatrava  against  Zalea  . 242 
CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Death  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan 248 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Of  the  Christian  Army  which  assembled  at  the  City  of 

Cordova 253 


CONTENTS. 


\X 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

PAGB 

How  fresh  Commotions  broke  out  in  Granada,  and  how 

the  People  undertook  to  allay  them  ....  261 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  held  a Council  of  War,  at  the 

Rock  of  the  Lovers  . . . . • . .265 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

How  the  Royal  Army  appeared  before  the  City  of  Loxa, 
and  how  it  was  received;  and  of  the  doughty 
Achievements  of  the  English  Earl  ....  269 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Conclusion  of  the  Siege  of  Loxa 276 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

Capture  of  Illora 280 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

Of  the  Arrival  of  Queen  Isabella  at  the  Camp  before 
Moclin ; and  of  the  Pleasant  Sayings  of  the  English 
Earl  284 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  attacked  Moclin,  and  of  the  strange 

Events  that  attended  its  Capture  ....  290 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

How  King  Ferdinand  foraged  the  Vega:  and  of  the  Bat- 
tle of  the  Bridge  of  Pinos,  and  the  Fate  of  the  two 
Moorish  Brothers  ...  ...  296 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Attempt  of  El  Zagal  upon  the  Life  of  Boabdil,  and  how 

the  latter  was  roused  to  Action  ....  304 


X 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

PAoa 

How  Boabdil  returned  secretly  to  Granada,  and  how  he 
was  received.  — Second  Embassy  of  Don  Juan  de 
Vera,  and  his  Perils  in  the  Alhambra  . . . 308 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  laid  Siege  to  Velez  Malaga  . . 317 

CHAPTER  XL VIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  and  his  Army  were  exposed  to 

imminent  Peril,  before  Velez  Malaga  . . . 328 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

Result  of  the  Stratagem  of  El  Zagal  to  surprise  King 

Ferdinand 334 

CHAPTER  L. 

How  the  People  of  Granada  rewarded  the  Valor  of  El 

Zagal  • .......  340 

CHAPTER  LI. 

Surrender  of  Velez  Malaga  and  other  Places  . . 344 

CHAPTER  LIL 

Of  the  City  of  Malaga,  and  its  Inhabitants.  — Mission 

of  Hernando  del  Pulgar 347 

CHAPTER  LIII. 

Advance  of  King  Ferdinand  against  Malaga  . • • 35S 

CHAPTER  LIV. 

Siege  of  Malaga 361 

CHAPTER  LV. 

Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Obstinacy  of  Hamet  el 

Zegri  ....  ....  365 


CONTENTS, 


XI 


CHAPTER  LVr. 

Attack  of  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  upon  Gibralfaro  • 

CHAPTER  LVII. 

Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Stratagems  of  various 
Kinds 

CHAPTER  LVIIL 

Sufferings  of  the  People  of  Malaga 

CHAPTER  LIX. 

How  a Moorish  Santon  undertook  to  deliver  the  City  of 
Malaga  from  the  Power  of  its  Enemies 

CHAPTER  LX. 

How  Hamet  el  Zegri  was  hardened  in  his  Obstinacy,  by 
the  Arts  of  a Moorish  Astrologer  . • • . 

CHAPTER  LXI. 

Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Destruction  of  a Tower, 
by  Francisco  Ramirez  de  Madrid  .... 

CHAPTER  LXH. 

How  the  People  of  Malaga  expostulated  with  Hamet  el 
Zegri 

CHAPTER  LXIIL 

How  Hamet  el  Zegri  sallied  forth  with  the  sacred  Ban- 
ner, to  attack  the  Christian  Camp  . • • • 

CHAPTER  LXIV. 

How  the  City  of  Malaga  capitulated  • • • • 

CHAPTER  LXV. 

Fulfillment  of  the  Prophecy  of  the  Dervise. — Fate  of 
Hamet  el  Zegri  . ..... 


PAGK 

369 

373 

379 

384 

390 

395 

398 

402 

408 


415 


CONTENTS, 


xii 


CHAPTER  LXVI. 

PAGa 

How  the  Castilian  Sovereigns  took  Possession  of  the  City 
of  Malaga,  and  how  King  Ferdinand  signalized  him- 
self by  his  Skill  in  bargaining  with  the  Inhabitants 
for  their  Ransom 418 

CHAPTER  LXVII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  prepared  to  carry  the  War  into  a 

Different  Part  of  the  Territories  of  the  Moors  . . 427 

CHAPTER  LXYIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  invaded  the  Eastern  Side  of  the 


Kingdom  of  Granada,  and  how  he  was  received  by 
El  Zagal  433 

CHAPTER  LXIX. 

How  the  Moors  made  various  Enterprises  against  the 

Christians 438 

CHAPTER  LXX. 


How  King  Ferdinand  prepared  to  besiege  the  City  of 

Baza  and  how  the  City  prepared  for  Defense  . • 443 

CHAPTER  LXXI. 

The  Battle  of  the  Gardens  before  Baza  . • • • 451 

CHAPTER  LXXII. 

Siege  of  Baza.  — Embarrassments  of  the  Army  • • 457 

CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

Siege  of  Baza  continued.  — How  King  Ferdinand  com 


pletely  invested  the  City. 461 

CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

Exploit  of  Hernando  Peiez  del  Pulgar  and  other  Cava- 
liers   465 


CONTENTS. 


Xlll 


CHAPTER  LXXV. 

Continuation  of  the  Siege  of  Baza 

CHAPTER  LXXVI. 

How  two  Friars  from  the  Holy  Land  arrived  at  the 
Camp 

CHAPTER  LXXVII. 

How  Queen  Isabella  devised  Means  to  supply  the  Army 
with  Provisions 

CHAPTER  LXXVIII. 

Of  the  Disasters  which  befell  the  Camp  .... 

CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

Encounters  between  the  Christians  and  Moors  before 
Baza;  and  the  Devotion  of  the  Inhabitants  to  the 
Defense  of  their  City 

CHAPTER  LXXX. 

How  Queen  Isabella  arrived  at  the  Camp,  and  the  Con- 
sequences of  her  Arrival 

CHAPTER  LXXXI. 

Surrender  of  Baza 

CHAPTER  LXXXII. 

Submission  of  El  Zagal  to  the  Castilian  Sovereigns 

CHAPTER  LXXXIII. 

Events  at  Granada,  subsequent  to  the  Submission  of  El 
Zagal  . 

CHAPTER  LXXXIV. 

How  King  Ferdinand  turned  his  Hostilities  against  the 
City  of  Granada 


PACK 

470 

475 

482 

486 

490 

495 

500 

508 

517 

524 


xiv 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  LXXXV. 

PAQB 

The  Fate  of  the  Castle  of  Roma 530 

CHAPTER  LXXXVI. 

How  Boabdil  el  Chico  took  the  Field ; and  his  Expedi- 
tion against  Alhendin 535 

CHAPTEE  LXXXVII.  ' 

Exploit  of  the  Count  de  Tendilla 539 

CHAPTER  LXXXVIIL 

Expedition  of  Boabdil  el  Chico  against  Salobreha. — 

Exploit  of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar  . . . 547 

CHAPTER  LXXXIX. 

How  King  Ferdinand  treated  the  People  of  Guadix, 

and  how  El  Zagal  finished  his  Regal  Career  . . 554 

CHAPTER  XC. 

Preparations  of  Granada  for  a Desperate  Defense  . . 560 

CHAPTER  XCI. 

How  King  Ferdinand  conducted  the  Siege  cautiously; 

and  how  Queen  Isabella  arrived  at  the  Camp  . . 566 

CHAPTER  XCII. 

Of  the  Insolent  Defiance  of  Tarfe  the  Moor,  and  the 

Daring  Exploit  of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar  . . 569 

CHAPTER  XCIII. 

How  Queen  Isabella  took  a View  of  the  City  of  Granada, 
and  how  her  Curiosity  cost  the  Lives  of  many 
Christians  and  Moors  573 

CHAPTER  XCIV. 


The  Last  Ravage  before  Granada  . 


. 584 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


CHAPTER  XCV. 

PAGB 

Conflagration  of  the  Christian  Camp.  — Building  of 
Santa  E4 589 

CHAPTER  XCVI. 

Famine  and  Discord  in  the  City 598 

CHAPTER  XCVII. 

Capitulation  of  Granada 598 

CHAPTER  XCVIII. 

Commotions  in  Granada 603 

CHAPTER  XCIX. 

Surrender  of  Granada 608 

CHAPTER  C. 

How  the  Castilian  Sovereigns  took  Possession  of  Gra- 
nada ...  616 

Appendix  •.•••••••  632 


INTRODUOTIOK 


LTHOUGH  tlie  following  Chronicle  bears 
the  name  of  the  venerable  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida,  it  is  rather  a superstructure 
reared  upon  the  fragments  which  remain  of 
his  work.  It  may  be  asked,  Who  is  this  same  Agapida, 
who  is  cited  with  such  deference,  yet  whose  name  is 
not  to  be  found  in  any  of  the  catalogues  of  Spanish 
authors  ? The  question  is  hard  to  answer : he  appears 
to  have  been  one  of  the  many  indefatigable  authors 
of  Spain,  who  have  filled  the  libraries  of  convents 
and  cathedrals  with  their  tomes,  without  ever  dream- 
ing of  bringing  their  labors  to  the  press.  He  evi- 
dently was  deeply  and  accurately  informed  of  the 
particulars  of  the  wars  between  his  countrymen  and 
the  Moors  — a tract  of  history  but  too  much  over- 
grown with  the  weeds  of  fable.  His  glowing  zeal, 
also,  in  the  cause  of  the  Catholic  faith,  entitles  him 
to  be  held  up  as  a model  of  the  good  old  orthodox 
chroniclers,  who  recorded  with  such  pious  exultation 
the  united  triumphs  of  the  cross  and  the  sword.  It 
is  deeply  to  be  regretted,  therefore,  that  his  manu- 
scripts, deposited  in  the  libraries  of  various  convents, 
have  been  dispersed  during  the  late  convulsions  in 
Spain,  so  that  nothing  is  now  to  be  met  of  them  but 
disjointed  fi*agments.  These,  however,  are  too  pre- 
cious to  be  suffered  to  fall  into  oblivion,  as  they  con- 
tain many  curious  facts,  not  to  be  found  in  any  other 


xviii 


TNTRODUCTION, 


historian.  In  the  following  work,  therefore,  the 
manuscript  of  the  worthy  Fray  Antonio  will  be 
adopted,  wherever  it  exists  entire ; but  will  be  filled 
up,  extended,  illustrated,  and  corroborated,  by  cita- 
tions from  various  authors,  both  Spanish  and  Arabian, 
who  have  treated  of  this  subject.  Those  who  may 
wish  to  know  how  far  the  work  is  indebted  to  the 
Chronicle  of  Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  may  readily 
satisfy  their  curiosity  by  referring  to  his  manuscript 
fragments,  carefully  preserved  in  the  library  of  the 
Escurial. 

Before  entering  upon  the  history,  it  may  be  as 
well  to  notice  the  opinions  of  certain  of  the  most 
learned  and  devout  historiographers  of  former  times, 
relative  to  this  war. 

Marinus  Siculus,  historian  to  Charles  Y.,  pro- 
nounces it  a war  to  avenge  ancient  injuries  received 
by  the  Christians  from  the  Moors,  to  recover  the 
kingdom  of  Granada,  and  to  extend  the  name  and 
honor  of  the  Christian  religion.^ 

Estevan  de  Garibay,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
Spanish  historians,  regards  the  war  as  a special  act 
of  divine  clemency  towards  the  Moors  ; to  the  end 
that  these  barbarians  and  infidels,  who  had  dragged 
out  so  many  centuries  under  the  diabolical  oppression 
of  the  absurd  sect  of  Mahomet,  should  at  length  be 
reduced  to  the  Christian  faith.^ 

Padre  Mariana,  also,  a venerable  Jesuit,  and  the 
most  renowned  historian  of  Spain,  considers  the  past 
domination  of  the  Moors  a scourge  inflicted  on  the 
Spanish  nation  for  its  iniquities ; but  the  conquest  of 
Granada,  the  reward  of  Heaven  for  its  great  act  of 
propitiation  in  establishing  the  glorious  tribunal  of 

1 Lucio  Marino  Siculo,  Cosas  Memorahiles  de  Espana^  lib. 

20. 

* Garibay,  Compend.  Hist,  Espana,  lib.  18,  c.  22. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XIX 


fche  Inquisition  1 No  sooner  (says  tlie  worthy  father) 
was  this  holy  office  opened  in  Spain,  than  there 
shone  forth  a resplendent  light.  Then  it  was,  that, 
through  divine  favor,  the  nation  increased  in  power, 
and  became  competent  to  overthrow  and  trample 
down  the  Moorish  domination.^ 

Having  thus  cited  high  and  venerable  authority 
for  considering  this  war  in  the  light  of  one  of  those 
pious  enterprises  denominated  crusades,  we  trust  we 
have  said  enough  to  engage  the  Christian  reader  to 
follow  us  into  the  field,  and  stand  by  us  to  the  very 
issue  of  the  encounter. 


NOTE  TO  THE  REVISED  EDITION. 

The  foregoing  introduction,  prefixed  to  the  former 
editions  of  this  work,  has  been  somewhat  of  a detri- 
ment to  it.  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  was  found  to  be 
an  imaginary  personage  ; and  this  threw  a doubt 
over  the  credibility  of  his  chronicle  ; which  was  in- 
creased by  a vein  of  irony,  indulged  here  and  there, 
and  by  the  occasional  heightening  of  some  of  the 
incidents,  and  the  romantic  coloring  of  some  of  the 
scenes.  A word  or  two  explanatory  may  therefore 
be  of  service.^ 

The  idea  of  the  work  was  suggested  while  I was 
occupied  at  Madrid  in  writing  the  life  of  Columbus. 
In  searching  for  traces  of  his  early  life,  I was  led 
among  the  scenes  of  the  war  of  Granada  ; he  having 
followed  the  Spanish  sovereigns  in  some  of  their 

1 Mariana.  Hist.  Kspana^  lib  25,  c.  1. 

2 Many  of  the  observations  in  this  note  have  already  ap- 
peared in  an  explanatory  article,  which,  at  Mr.  Murray’s  re- 
quest, the  author  furnished  to  the  London  Quarterly  Review, 


XX 


INTRODUCTION. 


campaigns,  and  been  present  at  the  surrender  of  the 
Moorish  capital.  I actually  wove  some  of  these 
scenes  into  the  biography ; but  found  they  occupied  an 
undue  space,  and  stood  out  in  romantic  relief,  not  in 
unison  with  the  general  course  of  the  narrative.  My 
mind,  however,  had  become  so  excited  by  the  stirring 
events  and  romantic  achievements  of  this  war,  that 
I could  not  return  with  composure  to  the  sober 
biography  I had  in  hand.  The  idea  then  occurred, 
as  a means  of  allaying  this  excitement,  to  throw  off 
a rough  draught  of  the  history  of  tliis  war,  to  be  re- 
vised and  completed  at  future  leisure.  It  appeared 
to  me  that  its  true  course  and  character  had  never 
been  fully  illustrated.  The  world  had  received  a 
strangely  perverted  idea  of  it  through  Florian’s  ro- 
mance of  “ Gonsalvo  of  Cordova,”  or  through  the 
legend,  equally  fabulous,  entitled  “ The  Civil  Wars  of 
Granada,”  by  Ginez  Perez  de  la  Hita — the  pretended 
work  of  an  Arabian  contemporary,  but  in  reality  a 
Spanish  fabrication.  It  had  been  woven  over  with 
love  tales  and  scenes  of  sqi;itimental  gallantry  totally 
opposite  to  its  real  character ; for  it  was,  in  truth, 
one  of  the  sternest  of  those  iron  conflicts,  sanctified 
by  the  title  of  ‘‘  Holy  Wars.”  In  fact,  the  genuine 
nature  of  the  war  placed  it  far  above  the  need  of  any 
amatory  embellishments.  It  possessed  sufficient  in- 
terest in  the  striking  contrast  presented  by  the  combat- 
ants, of  Oriental  and  European  creeds,  costumes,  and 
manners  ; and  in  the  hardy  and  harebrained  enter- 
prises, the  romantic  adventures,  the  picturesque 
forays  through  mountain  regions  ; the  daring  assaults 
and  surprisals  of  cliff-built  castles  and  cragged  for- 
tresses, which  succeeded  each  other  with  a variety 
and  brilliancy  beyond  the  sccme  of  mere  invention. 


The  time  of  the  contest  also,  contributed  to 
heighten  the  interest.  It  was  not  long  after  the  in- 


INTRODUCTION, 


XT! 

vention  of  gunpowder  ; when  fire-arms  and  artillery 
mingled  the  flash,  and  smoke,  and  thunder  of  modern 
warfare,  with  the  steely  splendor  of  ancient  chivalry, 
and  gave  an  awful  magnificence  and  terrible  sublim- 
ity to  battle  ; and  when  the  old  Moorish  towers  and 
castles,  that  for  ages  had  frowned  defiance  to  the 
battering-rams  and  catapulte  of  classic  tactics,  were 
toppled  down  by  the  lombards  of  the  Spanish  en- 
gineers. It  was  one  of  the  cases  in  which  history 
rises  superior  to  fiction. 

The  more  I thought  about  the  subject  the  more  I 
was  tempted  to  undertake  it,  and  the  facilities  at 
hand  at  length  determined  me.  In  the  libraries  of 
Madrid,  and  in  the  private  library  of  the  American 
Consul,  Mr.  Rich,  I had  access  to  various  chronicles 
and  other  works,  both  printed  and  in  manuscript, 
written  at  the  time  by  eye-witnesses,  and  in  some  in- 
stances by  persons  who  had  actually  mingled  in  the 
scenes  recorded,  and  gave  descriptions  of  them  from 
different  points  of  view,  and  with  different  details. 
These  works  were  often  diffuse  and  tedious,  and  oc- 
casionally discolored  by  the  bigotry,  superstition,  and 
fierce  intolerance  of  the  age  ; but  their  pages  were 
illumined  at  times  with  scenes  of  liigh  emprise,  of 
romantic  generosity,  and  heroic  valor,  which  flashed 
upon  the  reader  with  additional  splendor  from  the 
surrounding  darkness.  I collated  these  various  works, 
some  of  which  have  never  appeared  in  print,  drew 
from  each  facts  relative  to  the  different  enterprises, 
arranged  them  in  as  clear  and  lucid  order  as  I could 
command,  and  endeavored  to  give  them  somewhat  of 
a graphic  effect,  by  connecting  them  with  the  man- 
ners and  customs  of  the  age  in  which  they  occurred. 
The  rough  draught  being  completed,  I laid  the  man- 
uscript aside,  and  proceeded  with  the  life  of  Colum- 
bus. After  this  was  finished  and  sent  to  the  press,  I 


xxii 


INTRODUCTION. 


made  a tour  in  Andalusia,  visited  the  ruins  of  the 
Moorish  towns,  fortresses  and  castles,  and  the  wild 
mountain  passes  and  defiles,  which  had  been  the 
scenes  of  the  most  remarkable  events  of  the  war,  and 
passed  some  time  in  the  ancient  palace  of  the  Al- 
hambra, the  once  ' favorite  abode  of  the  Moorish 
monarchs.  Everywhere  I took  notes,  from  the  most 
advantageous  points  of  view,  of  whatever  could 
serve  to  give  local  verity  and  graphic  effect  to  the 
scenes  described.  Having  taken  up  my  abode  for  a 
time  at  Seville,  I there  resumed  my  manuscript  and 
rewrote  it,  benefited  by  my  travelling  notes  and  the 
fresh  and  vivid  impressions  of  my  recent  tour.  In 
constructing  my  chronicle,  I adopted  the  fiction  of 
a Spanish  monk  as  the  chronicler.  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida  was  intended  as  a personification  of  the 
monkish  zealots,  who  hovered  about  the  sovereigns 
in  their  campaigns,  marring  the  chivalry  of  the 
camp  by  the  bigotry  of  the  cloister,  and  chronicling 
in  rapturous  strains  every  act  of  intolerance  towards 
the  Moors.  In  fact,  scarce  a sally  of  the  pretended 
friar,  when  he  bursts  forth  in  rapturous  eulogy  of 
some  great  stroke  of  selfish  policy  on  the  part  of 
Ferdinand,  or  exults  over  some  overwhelming  dis- 
aster of  the  gallant  and  devoted  Moslems,  but  is 
taken  almost  word  for  word  from  one  or  other  of  the 
orthodox  chroniclers  of  Spain. 

The  ironical  vein  also  was  provoked  by  the  mix- 
ture of  kingcraft  and  priestcraft,  discernible  through- 
out this  great  enterprise,  and  the  mistaken  zeal  and 
self-delusion  of  many  of  its  most  gallant  and  gener- 
ous champions.  The  romantic  coloring  seemed  to 
belong  to  the  nature  of  the  subject,  and  was  in  har- 
mony with  what  I had  seen  in  my  tour  through  the 
poetical  and  romantic  regions  in  which  the  events 
had  taken  })Iace.  With  all  these  deductions  the 


IN  TR  ODUCTI  ON.  xxiii 

work,  in  all  its  essential  points,  was  faithful  to  his- 
torical fact,  and  built  upon  substantial  documents. 
It  was  a great  satisfaction  to  me,  therefore,  after  the 
doubts  that  had  been  expressed  of  the  authenticity 
of  my  chronicle,  to  find  it  repeatedly  and  largely 
used  by  Don  Miguel  Lafuente  Alcantara,  of  Granada, 
in  his  recent  learned  and  elaborate  history  of  his 
native  city ; he  having  had  ample  opportunity,  in 
his  varied  and  indefatigable  researches,  of  judging 
how  far  it  accorded  with  documentary  authority. 

I have  still  more  satisfaction  in  citing  the  follow- 
ing testimonial  of  Mr.  Prescott,  whose  researches  for 
his  admirable  history  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  took 
him  over  the  same  ground  I had  trodden.  His  testi- 
monial is  written  in  the  liberal  and  courteous  spirit 
characteristic  of  him  ; but  with  a degree  of  eulogium 
which  would  make  me  shrink  from  quoting  it,  did  I 
not  feel  the  importance  of  his  voucher  for  the  sub- 
stantial accuracy  of  my  work. 

“ Mr.  Irving’s  late  publication,  the  ‘ Chronicle  of 
the  Conquest  of  Granada,’  has  superseded  all  further 
necessity  for  poetry,  and,  unfortunately  for  me,  for 
history.  He  has  fully  availed  himself  of  all  the 
picturesque  and  animating  movement  of  this  roman- 
tic era ; and  the  reader  who  will  take  the  trouble  to 
compare  his  chronicle  with  the  present  more  prosaic 
and  literal  narrative,  will  see  how  little  he  has  been 
seduced  from  historic  accuracy  by  the  poetical  aspect 
of  his  subject.  The  fictitious  and  romantic  dress  of 
his  work  has  enabled  him  to  make  it  the  medium  of 
reflecting  more  vividly  the  floating  opinions  and  chi- 
merical fancies  of  the  age,  while  he  has  illuminated 
the  picture  with  the  dramatic  brilliancy  of  coloring 
denied  to  sober  history.”  ^ 

In  the  present  edition  I have  endeavored  to  ren- 
1 Prescott’s  Ferdinand  and  Tsahella^  vol.  ii.,  c.  15. 


XXIV 


INTRODUCTION. 


der  the  work  more  worthy  of  the  generous  encomium 
of  Mr.  Prescott.  Though  I still  retain  the  fiction  of 
the  monkish  author  Agapida,  I have  brought  my 
narrative  more  strictly  within  historical  bounds, 
have  corrected  and  enriched  it  in  various  parts  with 
facts  recently  brought  to  light  by  the  researches  of 
Alcantara  and  others  ; and  have  sought  to  render  it 
a faithful  and  characteristic  picture  of  the  romantic 
portion  of  history  to  which  it  relates. 

W.  I. 

SUNNYSIDB  1850. 


A CHRONICLE 

OP  THE 

CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Of  the  Kingdom  of  Granada,  and  the  Tribute  which  it  paid 
to  the  Castilian  Crown. 


HE  history  of  those  bloody  and  disastrous 
wars,  which  have  caused  the  downfall 
of  mighty  empires  (observes  Fray  An- 
tonio Agapida),  has  ever  been  considered  a study 
highly  delectable,  and  full  of  precious  edification. 
What  then  must  be  the  history  of  a pious  cru- 
sade, waged  by  the  most  Catholic  of  sovereigns,  to 
rescue  from  the  power  of  the  infidels  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  but  benighted  regions  of  the  globe  ? 
Listen  then,  while,  from  the  solitude  of  my  cell, 
I relate  the  events  of  the  conquest  of  Granada, 
where  Christian  knight  and  turbaned  infidel  dis- 
puted, inch  by  inch,  the  fair  land  of  Andalusia, 
until  the  crescent,  that  symbol  of  heathenish  abom- 
ination, was  cast  down,  and  the  blessed  cross, 
the  tree  of  our  redemption,  erected  in  its  stead. 

Nearly  eight  hundred  years  were  past  and  gone, 
1 


2 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


since  the  Arabian  invaders  had  sealed  the  per- 
dition of  Spain,  by  the  defeat  of  Don  Roderick, 
the  last  of  her  Gothic  kings.  Since  that  dis- 
astrous event,  one  portion  after  another  of  the 
peninsula  had  been  gradually  recovered  by  the 
Christian  princes,  until  the  single,  but  powerful 
and  warlike  territory  of  Granada,  alone  remained 
under  the  domination  of  the  Moors. 

This  renowned  kingdom,  situated  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  Spain,  and  washed  on  one  side  by  the 
Mediterranean  sea,  was  traversed  in  every  direc- 
tion by  sierras  or  chains  of  lofty  and  rugged 
mountains,  naked,  rocky,  and  precipitous,  render- 
ing it  almost  impregnable,  but  locking  up  within 
their  sterile  embraces  deep,  rich,  and  verdant 
valleys  of  prodigal  fertility. 

In  the  centre  of  the  kingdom  lay  its  capital, 
the  beautiful  city  of  Granada,  sheltered,  as  it 
were,  in  the  lap  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  or  Snowy 
Mountains.  Its  houses,  seventy  thousand  in 
number,  covered  two  lofty  hills  with  their  de- 
clivities, and  a deep  valley  between  them,  through 
which  flowed  the  Darro.  The  streets  were 
narrow,  as  is  usual  in  Moorish  and  Arab  cities, 
but  there  were  occasionally  small  squares  and 
open  places.  The  houses  had  gardens  and  in- 
terior courts,  set  out  with  orange,  citron,  and 
pomegranate  trees,  and  refreshed  by  fountains,  so 
that  as  the  edifices  ranged  above  each  other  up 
the  sides  of  the  hills,  they  presented  a delightful 
appearance  of  mingled  grove  and  city.  One  of 
the  hills  was  surmounted  by  the  Alcazaba,  a 
strong  fortress,  commanding  all  that  part  of  the 


THE  CITY  OF  GRANADA. 


8 


city ; the  other  by  the  Alhambra,  a royal  palace 
and  warrior  castle,  capable  of  containing  within 
its  alcazar  and  towers  a garrison  of  forty  thousand 
men  ; but  possessing  also  its  harem,  the  voluptuous 
abode  of  the  Moorish  monarchs,  laid  out  with 
courts  and  gardens,  fountains  and  baths,  and 
stately  halls,  decorated  in  the  most  costly  style  of 
oriental  luxury.  According  to  Moorish  tradition, 
the  king  who  built  this  mighty  and  magnificent 
pile,  was  skilled  in  the  occult  sciences,  and  fur- 
nished himself  with  the  necessary  funds  by  means 
of  alchemy.^  Such  was  its  lavish  splendor  that 
even  at  the  present  day,  the  stranger,  wandering 
through  its  silent  courts  and  deserted  halls,  gazes 
with  astonishment  at  gilded  ceilings  and  fretted 
domes,  the  brilliancy  and  beauty  of  which  have 
survived  the  vicissitudes  of  war  and  the  silent 
dilapidation  of  ages. 

The  city  was  surrounded  by  high  walls,  three 
leagues' in  circuit,  furnished  with  twelve  gates, 
and  a thousand  and  thirty  towers.  Its  elevation 
above  the  sea,  and  the  neighborhood  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada  crowned  with  perpetual  snows,  tempered 
the  fervid  rays  of  summer  ; so  that,  while  other 
cities  were  panting  with  the  sultry  and  stifling 
heat  of  the  dog-days,  the  most  salubrious  breezes 
played  through  the  marble  halls  of  Granada. 

The  glory  of  the  city,  however,  was  its  vega 
or  plain,  which  spread  out  to  a circumference  of 
thirty-seven  leagues,  surrounded  by  lofty  moun- 
tains, and  was  proudly  compared  to  the  famous 
plain  of  Damascus.  It  was  a vast  garden  of 
1 Zurita,  lib.  20,  c.  42. 


4 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


delight,  refreshed  by  numerous  fountains,  and  by 
the  silver  windings  of  the  Xenil.  The  labor  and 
ingenuity  of  the  Moors  had  diverted  the  waters 
of  this  river  into  thousands  of  rills  and  streams, 
and  diffused  them  over  the  whole  surface  of  the 
plain.  Indeed,  they  had  wrought  up  this  happy 
region  to  a degree  of  wonderful  prosperity,  and 
took  a pride  in  decorating  it,  as  if  it  had  been  a 
favorite  mistress.  The  hills  were  clothed  with 
orchards  and  vineyards,  the  valleys  embroidered 
with  gardens,  and  the  wide  plains  covered  with 
waving  grain.  Here  were  seen  in  profusion  the 
orange,  the  citron,  the  fig,  and  pomegranate,  with 
great  plantations  of  mulberry  trees,  from  which 
was  produced  the  finest  silk.  The  vine  clambered 
from  tree  to  tree  ; the  grapes  hung  in  rich  clusters 
about  the  peasant’s  cottage,  and  the  groves  were 
rejoiced  by  the  perpetual  song  of  the  nightingale. 
In  a word,  so  beautiful  was  the  earth,  so  pure  the 
air,  and  so  serene  the  sky  of  this  delicious  region, 
that  the  Moors  imagined  the  paradise  of  their 
prophet  to  be  situated  in  that  part  of  the  heaven 
which  overhung  the  kingdom  of  Granada. 

Within  this  favored  realm,  so  prodigally  en- 
dowed and  strongly  fortified  by  nature,  the  Mos- 
lem wealth,  valor,  and  intelligence,  which  had 
once  shed  such  a lustre  over  Spain,  had  gradually 
retired,  and  here  they  made  their  final  stand. 
Granada  had  risen  to  splendor  on  the  ruin  of 
other  Moslem  kingdoms  ; but  in  so  doing  had  be- 
come the  sole  object  of  Christian  hostility,  and 
had  to  maintain  its  very  existence  by  the  sword. 
The  Moorish  capital  accordingly  presented  a sin- 


LUXURY  OF  THE  MOORS, 


5 


gular  scene  of  Asiatic  luxury  and  refinement, 
mingled  with  the  glitter  and  the  din  of  arms. 
Letters  were  still  cultivated,  philosophy  and 
poetry  had  their  schools  and  disciples,  and  the 
language  spoken  was  said  to  be  the  most  elegant 
Arabic.  A passion  for  dress  and  ornament  per- 
vaded aJA  ranks.  That  of  the  princesses  and 
ladies  of  high  rank,  says  A1  Kattib,  one  of  their 
own  writers,  was  carried  to  a height  of  luxury 
and  magnificence  that  bordered  on  delirium. 
They  wore  girdles  and  bracelets  and  anklets  of 
gold  and  silver,  wrought  with  exquisite  art  and 
delicacy,  and  studded  with  jacinths,  chrysolites, 
emeralds,  and  other  precious  stones.  They  were 
fond  of  braiding  and  decorating  their  beautiful 
long  tresses,  or  confining  them  in  knots  sparkling 
with  jewels.  They  were  finely  formed,  excessively 
fair,  graceful  in  their  manners,  and  fascinating  in 
their  conversation ; when  they  smiled,  says  A1 
Kattib,  they  displayed  teeth  of  dazzling  whiteness, 
and  their  lA'eath  was  as  the  perfume  of  flowers. 

The  Moorish  cavaliers,  when  not  in  armor,  de- 
lighted in  dressing  themselves  in  Persian  style,  in 
garments  of  wool,  of  silk,  or  cotton,  of  the  finest 
texture,  beautifully  wrought  with  stripes  of  various 
colors.  In  winter  they  wore,  as  an  outer  garment, 
the  African  cloak  or  Tunisian  albornoz ; but  in 
the  heat  of  summer,  they  arrayed  themselves  in 
linen  of  spotless  whiteness.  The  same  luxury 
prevailed  in  their  military  equipments.  Their 
armor  was  inlaid  and  chased  with  gold  and  silver. 
The  sheaths  of  their  scimetars  were  richly  labored 
and  enameled,  the  blades  were  of  Damascus  bear- 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


ing  texts  from  the  Koran,  or  martial  and  amorous 
mottoes ; the  belts  were  of  golden  filagree, 
studded  with  gems;  their  poniards  of  Fez,  were 
wrought  in  the  arabesque  fashion  ; their  lances 
bore  gay  bandaroles ; their  horses  were  sumptu- 
ously caparisoned  with  housings  of  green  and 
crimson  velvet,  wrought  with  silk  and  enameled 
with  gold  and  silver.  All  this  warlike  luxury 
of  the  youthful  chivalry  was  encouraged  by  the 
Moorish  kings,  who  ordained  that  no  tax  should 
be  imposed  on  the  gold  and  silver  employed  in 
these  embellishments ; and  the  same  exception 
was  extended  to  the  bracelets  and  other  ornaments 
worn  by  the  fair  dames  of  Granada. 

Of  the  chivalrous  gallantry  which  prevailed 
between  the  sexes  in  this  romantic  period  of 
Moorish  history,  we  have  traces  in  the  thousand 
ballads  which  have  come  down  to  our  day,  and 
which  have  given  a tone  and  coloring  to  Spanish 
amatory  literature,  and  to  everything  in  Spain 
connected  with  the  tender  passion. 

War  was  the  normal  state  of  Granada  and  its 
inhabitants ; the  common  people  were  subject  at 
any  moment  to  be  summoned  to  the  field,  and  all 
the  upper  class  was  a brilliant  chivalry.  The 
Christian  princes,  so  successful  in  regaining  the 
rest  of  the  peninsula,  found  their  triumplis  checked 
at  the  mountain  boundaries  of  this  kingdom.  Ev- 
ery peak  had  its  atalaya  or  watch-tower,  ready  to 
make  its  fire  by  night  or  to  send  up  its  column  of 
smoke  by  day,  a signal  of  invasion,  at  which  the 
whole  country  was  on  the  alert.  To  penetrate 
the  defiles  of  this  perilous  country,  to  surprise  a 


PAYMENT  OF  TRIBUTE. 


7 


frontier  fortress  or  to  make  a foray  into  the  vega 
and  a hasty  ravage  within  sight  of  the  very  cap- 
ital, were  among  the  most  favorite  and  daring  ex- 
ploits of  the  Castilian  chivalry.  But  they  never 
pretended  to  hold  the  region  thus  ravaged ; it  was 
sack,  burn,  plunder,  and  away ! and  these  desola- 
ting inroads  were  retaliated  in  kind  by  the  Moor- 
ish cavaliers,  whose  greatest  delight  was  a tala, 
or  predatory  incursion  into  the  Christian  territories 
beyond  the  mountains. 

A partisan  warfare  of  this  kind  had  long  ex- 
isted between  Granada  and  its  most  formidable 
antagonist,  the  kingdoms  of  Castile  and  Leon.  It 
was  one  which  called  out  the  keen  yet  generous 
rivalry  of  Christian  and  Moslem  cavaliers,  and 
gave  rise  to  individual  acts  of  chivalrous  gallantry 
and  daring  prowess ; but  it  was  one  which  was 
gradually  exhausting  the  resources  and  sapping 
the  strength  of  Granada.  One  of  the  latest  of 
its  kings,  therefore,  Aben  Ismael  by  name,  dis- 
heartened by  a foray  which  had  laid  waste  the 
vega,  and  conscious  that  the  balance  of  warfare 
was  against  his  kingdom,  made  a truce  in  1457 
with  Henry  IV.,  King  of  Castile  and  Leon,  stip- 
ulating to  pay  him  an  annual  tribute  of  twelve 
thousand  doblas  or  pistoles  of  gold,  and  to  liberate 
annually  six  hundred  Christian  captives,  or  in  de- 
fault of  captives  to  give  an  equal  number  of  Moors 
as  hostages ; all  to  be  delivered  at  the  city  of  Cor- 
dova.^ 

The  truce,  however  was  of  a partial  nature, 
with  singular  reservations.  It  did  not  include 
1 Garibay,  Compend.  lib.  17,  c.  3. 


8 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  Moorish  frontier  towards  Jaen,  which  was  to 
remain  open  for  the  warlike  enterprises  of  either 
nation ; neither  did  it  prohibit  sudden  attacks 
upon  towns  and  castles,  provided  they  were  mere 
tbrays,  conducted  furtively,  without  sound  of 
trumpet  or  display  of  banners,  or  pitching  of 
camps,  or  regular  investment,  and  that  they  did 
not  last  above  three  days.^ 

Aben  Ismael  was  faithful  in  observing  the  con- 
ditions of  the  truce,  but  they  were  regarded  with 
impatience  by  his  eldest  son,  Muley  Abul  Hassan, 
a prince  of  a fiery  and  belligerent  spirit,  and  fond 
of  casing  himself  in  armor  and  mounting  his  war- 
horse.  He  had  been  present  at  Cordova  at  one 
of  the  payments  of  tribute,  and  had  witnessed  the 
scoffs  and  taunts  of  the  Christians,  and  his  blood 
boiled  whenever  he  recalled  the  humiliating  scene. 
When  he  came  to  the  throne  in  1465,  on  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  ceased  the  payment  of  the  tribute 
altogether,  and  it  was  sufficient  to  put  him  into  a 
tempest  of  rage  only  to  mention  it. 

He  was  a fierce  and  warlike  infidel,”  says 
the  pious  Fray  Antonio  Agapida ; “ his  bitter- 
ness against  the  holy  Christian  faith  had  been 
signalized  in  battle  during  the  lifetime  of  his 
father,  and  the  same  diabolical  spirit  of  hostility 
was  apparent  in  his  ceasing  to  pay  this  most  righ- 
teous tribute.” 

1 Zurita,  Anales  de  Aragon^  lib.  20,  c.  42.  Mariana,  Hi$L 
40  Espana^  lib.  25,  c.  1.  Bleda,  Coron,  de  Moros,  lib.  5^ 

3. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Of  the  Embassy  of  Don  Juan  de  Vera  to  demand  Arrears  of 
Tribute  from  the  Moorish  Monarch. 

HE  flagrant  want  of  faith  of  Muley  Abul 
Hassan  in  fulfilling  treaty  stipulations, 
passed  unresented  during  the  residue  of 
the  reign  of  Henry  the  Impotent,  and  the  truce 
was  tacitly  continued  without  the  enforcement  of 
tribute,  during  the  first  three  years  of  the  reign 
of  his  successors,  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  of  glo- 
rious and  happy  memory,  who  were  too  much  en- 
grossed by  civil  commotions  in  their  own  dominions 
and  by  a war  of  succession  waged  with  them  by 
the  king  of  Portugal,  to  risk  an  additional  conflict 
with  the  Moorish  sovereign.  When,  however, 
at  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  truce,  Muley  Abul 
Hassan  sought  a renewal  of  it,  the  pride  and  pi- 
ety of  the  Castilian  sovereigns  were  weakened  to 
the  flagrant  defalcation  of  the  jnfidel  king,  and 
they  felt  themselves  called  upon,  by  their  relig- 
ious obligations  as  champions  of  the  faith,  to 
make  a formal  demand  for  the  payment  of  arrear- 
ages. 

In  the  year  of  grace  1478,  therefore,  Don  Juan 
de  Vera,  a zealous  and  devout  knight,  full  of  ar- 
dor for  the  faith  and  loyalty  to  the  crown,  was 
sent  as  ambassador  for  the  purpose.  He  was 


10 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


armed  at  all  points,  gallantly  mounted,  and  fol- 
lowed by  a moderate  but  well-appointed  retinue  ; 
in  this  way  he  crossed  the  Moorish  frontier,  and 
passed  slowly  through  the  country,  looking  round 
him  with  the  eyes  of  a practiced  warrior,  and 
carefully  noting  its  military  points  and  capabil- 
ities. He  saw  that  the  Moor  was  well  prepared 
for  possible  hostilities.  Every  town  was  strongly 
fortified.  The  vega  was  studded  with  towers  of 
refuge  for  the  peasantry,  every  pass  of  the  moun- 
tain had  its  castle  of  defense,  every  lofty  height 
its  watch-tower.  As  the  Christian  cavaliers  passed 
under  the  walls  of  the  fortresses,  lances  and  scim- 
etars  flashed  from  their  battlements,  and  the  Moor- 
ish sentinels  darted  from  their  dark  eyes  glances 
of  hatred  and  defiance.  It  was  evident  that  a 
war  with  this  kingdom  must  be  a war  of  posts, 
full  of  doughty  peril  and  valiant  enterprise  ; where 
every  step  must  be  gained  by  toil  and  bloodshed, 
and  maintained  with  the  utmost  difficulty.  The 
warrior  spirit  of  the  cavaliers  kindled  at  the 
thoughts,  and  they  were  impatient  for  hostilities ; 

not,”  says  Antonio  Agapida,  ‘‘  from  any  thirst 
for  rapine  and  revenge,  but  from  that  pure  and 
holy  indignation  which  every  Spanish  knight  en- 
tertained at  beholding  this  beautiful  dominion  of 
his  ancestors  defiled  by  the  footsteps  of  infidel 
usurpers.  It  was  impossible,”  he  adds,  to  con- 
template this  delicious  country,  and  not  long  to 
see  it  restored  to  the  dominion  of  the  true  faith, 
and  the  sway  of  the  Christian  monarchs.” 

Arrived  at  the  gates  of  Granada,  Don  Juan 
de  Vera  and  his  ^companions  saw  the  same  vigi- 


EMBASSY  OF  DON  JUAN  DE  VERA,  H 


lant  preparations  on  the  part  of  the  Moorish  king. 
His  walls  and  towers  were  of  vast  strength,  in 
complete  repair,  and  mounted  with  lombards  and 
other  heavy  ordnance.  His  magazines  were  well 
stored  with  the  munitions  of  war ; he  had  a 
mighty  host  of  foot-soldiers,  together  with  squad- 
rons of  cavalry,  ready  to  scour  the  country,  and 
carry  on  either  defensive  or  predatory  warfare. 
The  Christian  warriors  noted  these  things  with- 
out dismay ; their  hearts  rather  glowed  with 
emulation,  at  the  thoughts  of  encountering  so 
worthy  a foe.  As  they  slowly  pranced  through 
the  streets  of  Granada,  they  looked  round  with 
eagerness  on  its  stately  palaces  and  sumptuous 
mosques ; on  its  alcayceria  or  bazar,  crowded 
with  silks  and  cloth  of  silver  and  gold,  with 
jewels  and  precious  stones,  and  other  rich  mer- 
chandise, the  luxuries  of  every  clime;  and  they 
longed  for  the  time  when  all  this  wealth  should 
be  the  spoil  of  the  soldiers  of  the  faith,  and  when 
each  tramp  of  their  steeds  might  be  fetlock  deep 
in  the  blood  and  carnage  of  the  infidels. 

The  Moorish  inhabitants  looked  jealously  at 
this  small  but  proud  array  of  Spanish  chivalry, 
as  it  paraded,  with  that  stateliness  possessed  only 
by  Spanish  cavaliers,  through  the  renowned  gate 
of  Elvira.  They  were  struck  with  the  stern 
and  lofty  demeanor  of  Don  Juan  de  Yera,  and 
his  sinewy  frame,  which  showed  him  formed  for 
hardy  deeds  of  arms ; and  they  supposed  he  had 
eome  in  search  of  distinction,  by  defying  the 
Moorish  knights  in  open  tourney,  or  in  the 
famous  tilt  with  reeds,  for  which  they  were  so 


12 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


renowned ; for  it  was  still  the  custom  of  the 
knights  of  either  nation  to  mingle  in  these  cour- 
teous and  chivalrous  contests  during  the  intervals 
of  war.  When  they  learned,  however,  that  he 
was  come  to  demand  the  tribute  so  abhorrent  to 
the  ears  of  the  fiery  monarch,  they  observed  that 
it  well  required  a warrior  of  his  apparent  nerve 
to  execute  such  an  embassy. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  received  the  cavalier  in 
state,  seated  on  a magnificent  divan,  and  sur- 
rounded by  the  officers  of  his  court,  in  the  hall 
of  ambassadors,  one  of  the  most  sumptuous 
apartments  of  the  Alhambra.  When  De  Yera 
had  delivered  his  message,  a haughty  and  bitter 
smile  curled  the  lip  of  the  fierce  monarch, 
“ Tell  your  sovereigns,”  said  he,  “ that  the  kings 
of  Granada,  who  used  to  pay  tribute  in  money 
to  the  Castilian  crown,  are  dead.  Our  mint  at 
present  coins  nothing  but  blades  of  scimetars 
and  heads  of  lances.”  ^ 

The  defiance  couched  in  this  proud  reply  was 
heard  with  secret  satisfaction  by  Don  Juan  de 
Vera,  for  he  was  a bold  soldier  and  a devout 
hater  of  the  infidels ; and  he  saw  iron  war  in 
the  words  of  the  Moorish  monarch.  Being  mas- 
ter, however,  of  all  points  of  etiquette,  he  re- 
tained an  inflexible  demeanor,  and  retired  from 
the  apartment  with  stately  and  ceremonious 
gravity.  His  treatment  was  suited  to  his  rank 
and  dignity ; a magnificent  apartment  in  the 
Alhambra  was  assigned  to  him;  and  before  his 
departure  a scimetar  was  sent  to  him  by  the 
1 Garibay,  lib.  40, -c.  29.  Conde,  Hist.  Ardb.^  pt.  4,  c.  34. 


EMBASSY  OF  DON  JUAN  BE  VERA.  13 


king;  the  blade  of  the  finest  Damascus  steel,  the 
hilt  of  agate,  enriched  with  precious  stones,  and 
the  guard  of  gold.  De  Vera  drew  it,  and 
smiled  grimly  as  he  noticed  the  admirable  temper 
of  the  blade.  “ His  majesty  has  given  me  a 
trenchant  weapon,”  said  he  : “I  trust  a time  will 
come  when  I may  show  him  that  I know  how  to 
use  his  royal  present.”  The  reply  was  consid- 
ered a compliment,  of  course ; the  bystanders 
little  knew  the  bitter  hostility  that  lay  couched 
beneath. 

On  his  return  to  Cordova,  Don  Juan  de  Vera 
delivered  the  reply  of  the  Moor,  but  at  the  same 
time  reported  the  state  of  his  territories.  These 
had  been  strengthened  and  augmented  during  the 
weak  reign  of  Henry  IV.  and  the  recent  troubles 
of  Castile.  Many  cities  and  strong  places  con- 
tiguous to  Granada,  but  heretofore  conquered  by 
the  Christians,  had  renewed  their  allegiance  to 
Muley  Abul  Hassan,  so  that  his  kingdom  now 
contained  fourteen  cities,  ninety-seven  fortified 
places,  besides  numerous  unwalled  towns  and 
villages  defended  by  formidable  castles,  while 
Granada  towered  in  the  centre  as  the  citadel. 

The  wary  Ferdinand,  as  he  listened  to  the 
military  report  of  Don  Juan  de  Vera,  saw  that 
the  present  was  no  time  for  hostilities  with  a 
warrior  kingdom,  so  bristled  over  with  means  of 
defense.  The  internal  discords  of  Castile  still 
continued,  as  did  the  war  with  Portugal;  under 
these  circumstances  he  forbore  to  insist  upon  the 
payment  of  tribute,  and  tacitly  permitted  the 
truce  to  continue ; but  the  defiance  contained  in 


14 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  reply  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan  remained  rank- 
ling in  his  bosom  as  a future  ground  of  war; 
and  De  Vera’s  description  of  Granada  as  the 
centre  of  a system  of  strongholds  and  rock-built 
castles,  suggested  to  him  his  plan  of  conquest; 
by  taking  town  after  town,  and  fortress  after  for- 
tress, and  gradually  plucking  away  all  the  sup- 
ports before  he  attempted  the  capital.  He  ex- 
pressed his  resolution  in  a memorable  pun,  or 
play  upon  the  name  of  Granada,  which  signifies 
a pomegranate.  “ I will  pick  out  the  seeds  of 
this  pomegranate  one  by  one,”  said  the  cool  and 
crafty  Ferdinand. 

Note.  — In  the  first  edition  of  this  work  the  author  re- 
counted a characteristic  adventure  of  the  stout  Juan  de  Yera, 
as  happening  on  the  occasion  of  this  embassy;  a further  con- 
sultation of  historical  authorities  has  induced  him  to  transfer 
it  to  a second  embassy  of  De  Vera’s;  which  the  reader  will 
find  related  in  a subsequent  chapter. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Domestic  Feuds  in  the  Alhambra.  — Rival  Sultanas. — Pre- 
dictions concerning  Boabdil  the  Heir  to  the  Throne.  — How 
Ferdinand  meditates  War  against  Granada,  and  how  he  ia 
anticipated. 


HOUGH  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  was  at 
peace  in  his  external  relations,  a civil 
war  raged  in  his  harem,  which  it  is 
proper  to  notice,  as  it  had  a fatal  effect  upon  the 
fortunes  of  the  kingdom.  Though  cruel  by  na- 
ture, he  was  uxorious,  and  somewhat  prone  to  be 
managed  by  his  wives.  Early  in  life  he  had 
married  his  kinswoman,  Ayxa  (or  Ayesha), 
daughter  of  his  great  uncle  the  Sultan  Moham- 
med VII.,  surnamed  El  Hayzari,  or  the  left- 
handed.  She  was  a woman  of  almost  masculine 
spirit  and  energy,  and  of  such  immaculate  and 
inaccessible  virtue,  that  she  was  generally  called 
La  Horra,  or  The  Chaste.  By  her  he  had  a 
son,  Abu  Abdallah ; or,  as  he  is  commonly  named 
by  historians,  Boabdil.  The  court  astrologers, 
according  to  custom,  cast  the  horoscope  of  the 
infant,  but  were  seized  with  fear  and  trembling 
as  they  regarded  it.  “ Allah  Achbar  ! God  is 
great ! ’’  exclaimed  they,  He  alone  controls  the 
fate  of  empires.  It  is  written  in  the  book  of  fate 
that  this  child  will  one  day  sit  upon  the  throne, 


16 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


but  that  the  downfall  of  the  kingdom  will  oe 
accomplished  during  his  reign.  ” From  that 
time  the  prince  had  been  regarded  with  aversion 
by  his  father ; and  the  prediction  which  hung 
over  him,  and  the  persecutions  to  which  he  be- 
came subjected,  procured  him  the  surname  of  El 
Zogoybi,  or  The  Unfortunate.  He  grew  up, 
however,  under  the  protection  of  his  valiant- 
hearted  mother,  who,  by  the  energy  of  her  char- 
acter, long  maintained  an  undisputed  sway  in  the 
harem,  until,  as  her  youth  passed  away  and  her 
beauty  declined,  a formidable  rival  arose. 

In  one  of  the  forays  of  the  Moorish  chivalry 
into  the  Christian  territories,  they  had  surprised  a 
frontier  fortress,  Commanded  by  Sancho  Ximenes 
de  Solis,  a noble  and  valiant  cavalier,  who  fell  in 
bravely  defending  it.  Among  the  captives  was 
his  daughter  Isabella,  then  almost  in  her  infancy  ; 
who  was  brought  to  Granada,  delicately  raised, 
and  educated  in  the  Moslem  faith.  ^ Her  Moor- 
ish captors  gave  her  the  name  of  Fatima,  but  as 
she  grew  up  her  surpassing  beauty  gained  her 
the  surname  of  Zoraya,  or  the  Morning  Star, 
by  which  she  has  become  known  in  history. 
Her  charms  at  length  attracted  the  notice  of 
Muley  Abul  Hassan,  and  she  soon  became  a 
member  of  his  harem.  Some  have  spoken  of 
her  as  a Christian  slave,  whom  he  had  made  his 
concubine ; but  others,  with  more  truth,  represent 
her  as  one  of  his  wives,  and  ultimately  his  favor- 
ite Sultana ; and  indeed  it  was  often  the  case 
that  female  captives  of  rank  and  beauty,  when 
1 Cro^ica  del  Gran.  Cardinal^  cap.  71. 


FEUDS  IN  THE  ALHAMBRA. 


17 


converted  to  the  faith  of  Islam,  became  united  to 
the  proudest  and  loftiest  of  their  captors. 

Zoraya  soon  acquired  complete  ascendency 
over  the  mind  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan.  She  was 
as  ambitious  as  she  was  beautiful,  and,  having 
become  the  mother  of  two  sons,  looked  forward 
to  the  possibility  of  one  of  them  sitting  on  the 
throne  of  Granada.  These  ambitious  views  were 
encouraged,  if  not  suggested,  by  a faction  which 
gathered  round  her,  inspired  by  kindred  sympa- 
thies. The  king’s  vizier,  Abul  Cacem  Vanegas, 
who  had  great  influence  over  him,  was,  like  Zo- 
raya, of  Christian  descent,  being  of  the  noble 
house  of  Luque.  His  father,  one  of  the  Van- 
egas of  Cordova,  had  been  captured  in  infancy 
and  brought  up  as  a Moslem.^  From  him 
sprang  the  vizier,  Abul  Cacem  Vanegas,  and  his 
brother  Reduan  Vanegas,  likewise  high  in  rank 
in  the  court  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan  ; and  they 
had  about  them  numerous  and  powerful  connec- 
tions, all  basking  in  court  favor.  Though  Mos- 
lems in  faith,  they  were  all  drawn  to  Zoraya  by 
tne  tie  of  foreign  and  Christian  descent,  and 
sought  to  elevate  her  and  her  children  to  the  dis- 
paragement of  Ayxa  la  Horra  and  her  son  Boab- 
dil.  The  latter,  on  the  other  hand,  were  sup- 
ported by  the  noble  and  once  potent  family  of 
the  Abencerrages,  and  by  Aben  Comixer,  alcayde 
of  the  Alhambra  ; and  between  these  two  fac- 
tions, headed  by  rival  sultanas,  the  harem  of 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  became  the  scene  of  invet- 
erate jealousies  and  intrigues  which,  in  time,  as 

1 Cura  dz  los  Palacios^  Hist,  de  los  Reyes  Catol.  cap.  56. 

2 


18 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


will  be  shown,  led  to  popular  commotions  and 
civil  wars.^ 

While  these  female  feuds  were  threatening 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  with  trouble  and  disaster  at 
home,  his  evil  genius  prompted  him  to  an  enter- 
prise which  involved  him  in  tenfold  danger  from 
abroad.  The  reader  has  already  been  apprised 
of  a singular  clause  in  the  truce  existing  between 
the  Christians  and  the  Moors,  permitting  hasty 
dashes  into  each  others’  territories,  and  assaults 
of  towns  and  fortresses,  provided  they  were  car- 
ried on  as  mere  forays,  and  without  the  parade 
of  regular  warfare.  A long  time  had  elapsed, 
however,  without  any  incursion  of  the  kind  on 
the  part  of  the  Moors,  and  the  Christian  towns 
on  the  frontiers  had,  in  consequence,  fallen  into  a 
state  of  the  most  negligent  security.  In  an  un- 
lucky moment,  Muley  Abul  Hassan  was  tempted 
to  one  of  these  forays  by  learning  that  the  f or- 
tress  of  Zahara,  on  the  frontier  between  Ronda 
and  Medina  Sidonia,  was  but  feebly  garrisoned 
and  scantily  supplied,  and  that  its  alcayde  was 
careless  of  his  charge.  This  important  post  was 
built  on  the  crest  of  a rocky  mountain,  with  a 
strong  castle  perched  above  it,  upon  a cliff,  so  high 
that  it  was  said  to  be  above  the  flight  of  birds  or 
drift  of  clouds.  The  streets  and  many  of  the 
houses  were  mere  excavations,  wrought  out  of  the 

1 It  is  to  be  noted  that  several  historians  have  erroneously- 
represented  Zoraya  as  the  mother  of  Boabdil,  instead  of  Ayxa 
la  Horra  ; and  the  Abencerrages  as  the  opponents  of  Boabdil, 
instead  of  his  strenuous  adherents.  "Hie  statement  in  the 
text  is  according  to  tlie  most  reliable  authorities. 


STRENGTH  OF  ZAHAR  A, 


19 


living  rock.  The  town  had  but  one  gate,  open- 
ing to  the  west,  and  defended  by  towers  and  bul- 
warks. The  only  ascent  to  this  cragged  fortress 
was  by  roads  cut  in  the  rock,  so  rugged  in  many 
places  as  to  resemble  broken  stairs.  In  a word, 
the  impregnable  security  of  Zahara  had  become 
so  proverbial  throughout  Spain,  that  a woman 
of  forbidding  and  inaccessible  virtue  was  called  a 
Zaharena.  But  the  strongest  fortress  and  sternest 
virtue  have  weak  points,  and  require  unremitting 
vigilance  to  guard  them : let  warrior  and  dame 
take  warning  from  the  fate  of  Zahara. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Expedition  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan  against  the  Fortress  of 
Zahar  a. 


blessed  Nativity,  the  inhabitants  of  Zahara  were 
sunk  in  profound  sleep  ; the  very  sentinel  had  de- 
serted his  post,  and  sought  shelter  from  a tempest 
which  had  raged  for  three  nights  in  succession ; 
for  it  appeared  but  little  probable  that  an  enemy 
would  be  abroad  during  such  an  uproar  of  the 
elements.  But  evil  spirits  work  best  during  a 
storm.  In  the  midst  of  the  night,  an  uproar  rose 
within  the  walls  of  Zahara,  more  awful  than  the 
raging  of  the  storm.  A fearful  alarm  cry  — The 
Moor  ! the  Moor  ! ” resounded  through  the  streets, 
mingled  with  the  clash  of  arms,  the  shriek  of 
anguish,  and  the  shout  of  victory.  Muley  Abul 
Hassan,  at  the  head  of  a powerful  force,  had 
hurried  from  Granada,  and  passed  unobserved 
through  the  mountains  in  the  obscurity  of  the 
tempest.  While  the  storm  pelted  the  sentinel 
from  his  post,  and  howled  round  tower  and  battle- 
ment, the  Moors  had  planted  their  scaling-ladders, 
and  mounted  securely  into  both  town  and  castle. 
The  garrison  was  unsuspicious  of  danger,  until 


N the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  four 
I hundred  and  eighty-one,  and  but  a night 
i or  two  after  the  festival  of  the  most 


SURPRISE  OF  ZAHAR  A. 


21 


battle  and  massacre  burst  forth  within  its  very 
walls.  It  seemed  to  the  affrighted  inhabitants,  as 
if  the  fiends  of  the  air  had  come  upon  the  wings 
of  the  wind,  and  possessed  themselves  of  tower 
and  turret.  The  war-cry  resounded  on  every 
side,  shout  answering  shout  above,  below,  on  the 
battlements  of  the  castle,  in  the  streets  of  the 
town  — the  foe  was  in  all  parts,  wrapped  in  ob- 
scurity, but  acting  in  concert  by  the  aid  of  pre- 
concerted signals.  Starting  from  sleep,  the  sol- 
diers were  intercepted  and  cut  down  as  they 
rushed  from  their  quarters  ; or  if  they  escaped, 
they  knew  not  where  to  assemble,  or  where  to 
strike.  Wherever  lights  appeared,  the  flashing 
scimetar  was  at  its  deadly  work,  and  all  who 
attempted  resistance  fell  beneath  its  edge. 

In  a little  while  the  struggle  was  at  an  end. 
Those  who  were  not  slain  took  refuge  in  the 
secret  places  of  their  houses,  or  gave  themselves 
up  as  captives.  The  clash  of  arms  ceased  ; and 
the  storm  continued  its  howling,  mingled  with  the 
occasional  shout  of  the  Moorish  soldiery,  roaming 
in  search  of  plunder.  While  the  inhabitants 
were  trembling  for  their  fate,  a trumpet  resounded 
through  the  streets,  summoning  them  all  to  as- 
semble, unarmed,  in  the  public  square.  Here 
they  were  surrounded  by  soldiery,  and  strictly 
guarded,  until  daybreak.  When  the  day  dawned, 
it  was  piteous  to  behold  this  once  prosperous  com- 
munity, who  had  laid  down  to  rest  in  peaceful  se- 
curity, now  crowded  together  without  distinction 
of  age,  or  rank,  or  sex,  and  almost  without  rai- 
ment, during  the  severity  of  a wintry  storm.  The 


22 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


fierce  Muley  Abiilo  Hassaii  turned  a deaf  ear  to 
all  their  prayers  and  remonstrances,  and  ordered 
them  to  be  conducted  captives  to  Granada.  Leav- 
ing a strong  gamson  in  both  town  and  castle, 
with  orders  to  put  them  in  a complete  state  of 
defense,  he  returned,  flushed  with  victory,  to  his 
capital,  entering  it  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  laden 
with  spoil,  and  bearing  in  triumph  the  banners 
and  pennons  taken  at  Zahara. 

While  preparations  were  making  for  jousts  and 
other  festivities,  in  honor  of  this  victory  over  the 
Christians,  the  captives  of  Zahara  arrived  — a 
wretched  train  of  men,  women,  and  children,  worn 
out  with  fatigue  and  haggard  with  despair,  and 
driven  like  cattle  into  the  city  gates,  by  a detach- 
ment of  Moorish  soldiery. 

Deep  was  the  grief  and  indignation  of  the 
people  of  Granada  at  this  cruel  scene.  Old 
men,  who  had  experienced  the  calamities  of 
warfare,  anticipated  coming  troubles.  Mothers 
clasped  their  infants  to  their  breasts,  as  they  be- 
held the  hapless  females  of  Zahara,  with  their 
children  expiring  in  their  arms.  On  every  side, 
the  accents  of  pity  for  the  suflTerers  were  mingled 
with  execrations  of  the  barbarity  of  the  king. 
The  preparations  for  festivity  were  neglected ; 
and  the  viands,  which  were  to  have  feasted  the 
conquerors,  were  distributed  among  the  captives. 

The  nobles  and  alfaquis,  however,  repaired  to 
the  Alhambra  to  congratulate  the  king ; for, 
whatever  storms  may  rage  in  the  lower  regions 
of  society,  rarely  do  any  clouds,  but  clouds  of 
incense,  rise  to  the  awful  eminence  of  the  throne. 


PREDICTION  OF  A SANTON, 


23 


In  this  instance,  however,  a yoice  rose  from  the 
midst  of  the  obsequious  crowd,  and  burst  like 
thunder  upon  the  ears  of  Abul  Hassan.  “ Woe ! 
woe  ! woe  ! to  Granada  ! ” exclaimed  the  voice  ; 

its  hour  of  desolation  approaches.  The  ruins 
of  Zahara  will  fall  upon  our  heads ; my  spirit 
tells  me  that  the  end  of  our  empire  is  at  hand  ! ’’ 
All  shrank  back  aghast,  and  left  the  denouncer 
of  woe  standing  alone  in  the  centre  of  the  hall. 
He  was  an  ancient  and  hoary  man,  in  the  rude 
attire  of  a dervise.  Age  had  withered  his  form 
without  quenching  the  fire  of  his  spirit,  which 
glared  in  baleful  lustre  from  his  eyes.  He  was 
(say  the  Arabian  historians)  one  of  those  holy 
men  termed  santons,  who  pass  their  lives  in  her- 
mitages, in  fasting,  meditation,  and  prayer,  until 
they  attain  to  the  purity  of  saints  and  the  fore- 
sight of  prophets.  He  was,”  says  the  indignant 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  “ a son  of  Belial,  one  of 
those  fanatic  infidels  possessed  by  the  devil,  who 
are  sometimes  permitted  to  predict  the  truth  to 
their  followers ; but  with  the  proviso,  that  their 
predictions  shall  be  of  no  avail.” 

The  voice  of  the  santon  resounded  through 
the  lofty  hall  of  the  Alhambra,  and  struck  silence 
and  awe  into  the  crowd  of  courtly  sycophants. 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  alone  was  unmoved ; he 
eyed  the  hoary  anchorite  with  scorn  as  he  stood 
dauntless  before  him,  and  treated  his  predictions 
as  the  ravings  of  a maniac.  The  santon  rushed 
from  the  royal  presence,  and,  descending  into  the 
eity,  hurried  through  its  streets  and  squares  with 
frantic  gesticulations.  His  voice  was  heard,  in 


24 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


every  part,  in  awful  denunciation.  “ The  peace 
is  broken ! exterminating  war  is  commenced. 
Woe  ! woe ! woe  to  Granada  ! its  fall  is  at  hand! 
desolation  will  dwell  in  its  palaces ; its  strong 
men  will  fall  beneath  the  sword,  its  children  and 
maidens  be  led  into  captivity.  Zahara  is  but  a 
type  of  Granada ! ” 

Terror  seized  upon  the  populace,  for  they  con- 
sidered these  ravings  as  the  inspirations  of 
prophecy.  Some  hid  themselves  in  their  dwell- 
ings, as  in  a time  of  general  mourning;  while 
some  gathered  together  in  knots  in  the  streets 
and  squares,  alarming  each  other  with  dismal 
forebodings,  and  cursing  the  rashness  and  cruelty 
of  the  king. 

The  Moorish  monarch  heeded  not  their  mur-' 
murs.  Knowing  that  his  exploit  must  draw 
upon  him  the  vengeance  of  the  Christians,  he 
now  threw  off  all  reserve,  and  made  attempts  to 
surprise  Castellan  and  Elvira,  though  without 
success.  He  sent  alfaquis,  also,  to  the  Barbary 
powers,  informing  them  that  the  sword  was 
drawn,  and  inviting  the  African  princes  to  aid 
him  with  men  and  supplies  in  maintaining  the 
kingdom  of  Granada,  and  the  religion  of  Ma- 
homet, against  the  violence  of  unbelievers. 

While  discontent  exhaled  itself  in  murmurs 
among  the  common  people,  however,  it  fomented 
in  dangerous  conspiracies  among  the  nobles,  and 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  was  startled  by  information 
of  a design  to  depose  him  and  place  his  son 
Boabdil  upon  the  throne.  His  first  measure  was 
to  confine  the  prince  and  his  mother  in  the  tower 


ESCAPE  OF  BOABDIL. 


25 


of  Comares ; then,  calling  to  mind  the  prediction 
of  the  astrologers,  that  the  youth  would  one  day 
git  on  the  throne  of  Granada,  he  impiously  set 
the  stars  at  defiance.  “ The  sword  of  the  execu- 
tioner,” said  he,  “ shall  prove  the  fallacy  of  those 
lying  horoscopes,  and  shall  silence  the  ambition 
of  Boabdil.” 

The  Sultana  Ayxa,  apprised  of  the  imminent 
danger  of  her  son,  concerted  a plan  for  his 
escape.  At  the  dead  of  the  night  she  gained 
access  to  his  prison,  and  tying  together  the  shawls 
and  scarfs  of  herself  and  her  female  attendants, 
lowered  him  down  from  a balcony  of  the  Alham- 
bra to  the  steep,  rocky  hill-side  which  sweeps 
down  to  the  Darro.  Here  some  of  her  devoted 
adherents  were  waiting  to  receive  him,  who, 
mounting  him  on  a swift  horse,  spirited  him 
away  to  the  city  of  Guadix,  in  the  Alpuxaras. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Expedition  of  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  against  Alhama. 

was  the  indignation  of  King 
Ferdinand  when  he  heard  of  the  storm- 
ing  of  Zahara ; though  the  outrage  of 
the  Aloor  happened  most  opportunely.  The  war 
between  Castile  and  Portugal  had  come  to  a 
close ; the  factions  of  the  Spanish  nobles  were 
for  the  most  part  quelled.  The  Castilian  mori- 
archs  had  now,  therefore,  turned  their  thoughts 
to  the  cherished  object  of  their  ambition,  the 
conquest  of  Granada.  The  pious  heart  of  Isa- 
bella yearned  to  behold  the  entire  peninsula  re- 
deemed from  the  domination  of  the  infidel ; while 
Ferdinand,  in  whom  religious  zeal  was  mingled 
with  temporal  policy,  looked  with  a craving  eye 
to  the  rich  territory  of  the  Moor,  studded  with 
wealthy  towns  and  cities.  Muley  Abul  Hassan 
had  rashly  or  unwarily  thrown  the  brand  that 
was  to  produce  the  wide  conflagration.  Ferdi- 
nand was  not  the  one  to  quench  the  flames.  He 
immediately  issued  orders  to  all  the  adelantados 
and  alcaydes  of  the  frontiers,  to  maintain  the 
utmost  vigilance  at  their  posts,  and  to  prepare  to 
cari-y  fire  and  sword  into  the  territories  of  the 
Moors. 

Among  the  many  valiant  cavaliers  who  rallied 


THE  MARQUES  OF  CADIZ. 


27 


round  the  throne  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  one 
of  the  most  eminent  in  rank  and  renowned  in 
arms  was  Don  Roderigo  Ponce  de  Leon,  Marques 
of  Cadiz.  As  he  was  the  distinguished  champion 
of  this  holy  war,  and  commanded  in  most  of  its 
enterprises  and  battles,  it  is  meet  that  some  par- 
ticular account  should  be  given  of  him.  He  was 
born  in  1443,  of  the  valiant  lineage  of  the 
Ponces,  and  from  his  earliest  youth  had  rendered 
himself  illustrious  in  the  field.  He  was  of  the 
middle  stature,  with  a muscular  and  powerful 
frame,  capable  of  great  exertion  and  fatigue. 
His  hair  and  beard  were  red  and  curled,  his 
countenance  was  open  and  magnanimous,  of  a 
ruddy  complexion,  and  slightly  marked  with  the 
small-pox.  He  was  temperate,  chaste,  valiant, 
vigilant ; a just  and  generous  master  to  his  vas- 
sals ; frank  and  noble  in  his  deportment  towards 
his  equals ; loving  and  faithful  to  his  friends ; 
fierce  and  terrible,  yet  magnanimous,  to  his  ene- 
mies. He  was  considered  the  mirror  of  chivalry 
of  his  times,  and  compared  by  contemporary  his- 
torians to  the  immortal  Cid. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  had  vast  possessions  in 
the  most  fertile  parts  of  Andalusia,  including 
many  towns  and  castles,  and  could  lead  forth  an 
army  into  the  field  from  his  own  vassals  and  de- 
pendents. On  receiving  the  orders  of  the  king, 
he  burned  to  signalize  himself  by  some  sudden 
incursion  into  the  kingdom  of  Granada,  that 
should  give  a brilliant  commencement  to  the  war, 
and  should  console  the  sovereigns  for  the  insult 
they  had  received  in  the  capture  of  Zahara.  As 


28 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


his  estates  lay  near  to  the  Moorish  frontiers,  and 
were  subject  to  sudden  inroads,  he  had  always 
in  his  pay  numbers  of  adalides,  or  scouts  and 
guides,  many  of  them  converted  Moors.  These 
he  sent  out  in  all  directions,  to  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  and  to  procure  all  kinds  of 
information  important  to  the  security  of  the  fron- 
tier. One  of  these  spies  came  to  him  one  day 
in  his  town  of  Marchena,  and  informed  him  that 
the  Moorish  town  of  Alhama  was  slightly  gar- 
risoned and  negligently  guarded,  and  might  be 
taken  by  surprise.  This  was  a large,  wealthy, 
and  populous  place,  within  a few  leagues  of  Gra- 
nada. It  was  situated  on  a rocky  height,  nearly 
surrounded  by  a river,  and  defended  by  a fortress 
to  which  there  was  no  access  but  by  a steep  and 
cragged  ascent.  The  strength  of  its  situation, 
and  its  being  embosomed  in  the  centre  of  the 
kingdom,  had  produced  the  careless  security 
which  now  invited  attack. 

To  ascertain  fully  the  state  of  the  fortress,  the 
marques  dispatched  secretly  a veteran  soldier, 
who  was  highly  in  his  confidence.  His  name 
was  Ortega  de  Prado,  a man  of  great  activity, 
shrewdness,  and  valor,  and  captain  of  escaladors 
(soldiers  employed  to  scale  the  walls  of  fortresses 
in  time  of  attack).  Ortega  approached  Alhama 
one  moonless  night,  and  paced  along  its  walls 
with  noiseless  step,  laying  his  ear  occasionally  to 
the  ground  or  to  the  wall.  Every  time,  he  dis- 
tinguished the  measured  tread  of  a sentinel,  and 
now  and  then  the  challenge  of  the  night-watch 
going  its  rounds.  Finding  the  town  thus  guarded 


MARCH  TO  ALE  AM  A, 


29 


he  clambered  to  the  castle : — there  all  was 
silent.  As  he  ranged  its  lofty  battlements,  be- 
tween him  and  the  sky  he  saw  no  sentinel  on 
duty.  He  noticed  certain  places  where  the  wall 
might  be  ascended  by  scaling-ladders  ; and  hav- 
ing marked  the  hour  of  relieving  guard,  and 
made  all  necessary  observations,  he  retired  with- 
out being  discovered. 

Ortega  returned  to  Marchena,  and  assured  the 
marques  of  Cadiz  of  the  practicability  of  scaling 
the  castle  of  Alhama,  and  taking  it  by  surprise. 
The  marques  had  a secret  conference  with  Don 
Pedro  Enriquez,  Adelantado  of  Andalusia ; Don 
Diego  de  Merlo,  commander  of  Seville ; Sancho 
de  Avila,  Alcayde  of  Carmona,  and  others,  who 
all  agreed  to  aid  him  with  their  forces.  On  an 
appointed  day,  the  several  commanders  assembled 
at  Marchena  with  their  troops  and  retainers. 
None  but  the  leaders  knew  the  object  or  destina- 
tion of  the  enterprise ; but  it  was  enough  to 
rouse  the  Andalusian  spirit,  to  know  that  a foray 
was  intended  into  the  country  of  their  old  ene- 
mies, the  Moors.  Secrecy  and  celerity  were 
necessary  for  success.  They  set  out  promptly, 
with  three  thousand  genetes,  or  light  cavalry 
and  four  thousand  infantry.  They  chose  a route 
but  little  travelled,  by  the  way  of  Antiquera, 
passing  with  great  labor  through  rugged  and  sol- 
itary defiles  of  the  Sierra  or  chain  of  mountains 
of  Arrecife,  and  left  all  their  baggage  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Yeguas,  to  be  brought  after 
them.  This  march  was  principally  in  the  night ; 
all  day  they  remained  quiet ; no  noise  was  suf- 


80 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


fered  in  their  camp,  and  no  fires  were  made,  lest 
the  smoke  should  betray  them.  On  the  third 
day  they  resumed  their  march  as  the  evening 
darkened,  and  forcing  themselves  forward  at  as 
quick  a pace  as  the  rugged  and  dangerous  moun- 
tain roads  would  permit,  they  descended  towards 
midnight  into  a small  deep  valley,  only  half  a 
league  from  Albania.  Here  they  made  a halt, 
fatigued  by  this  forced  march,  during  a long  dark 
evening  towards  the  end  of  February. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  now  explained  to  the 
troops  the  object  of  the  expedition.  He  told  them 
it  was  for  the  glory  of  the  most  holy  faith,  and 
to  avenge  the  wrongs  of  their  countrymen  at 
Zahara;  and  that  the  town  of  Alhama,  full  of 
wealthy  spoil,  was  the  place  to  be  attacked.  The 
troops  were  roused  to  new  ardor  by  these  words, 
and  desired  to  be  led  forthwith  to  the  assault. 
They  arrived  close  to  Alhama  about  two  hours 
before  daybreak.  Here  the  army  remained  in 
ambush,  while  three  hundred  men  were  dispatched 
to  scale  the  walls  and  get  possession  of  the  castle. 
They  were  picked  men,  many  of  them  alcaydes 
and  officers,  men  who  preferred  death  to  dishonor. 
This  gallant  band  was  guided  by  the  escalador 
Ortega  de  Prado,  at  the  head  of  thirty  men  with 
scaling-ladders.  They  clambered  the  ascent  to 
the  castle  in  silence,  and  arrived  under  the  dark 
shadow  of  its  towers  without  being  discovered. 
Not  a light  was  to  be  seen,  not  a sound  to  be 
heard ; the  whole  place  was  wrapped  in  profound 
repose. 

Fixing  their  ladders,  they  ascended  cautiously 


A NIGHT  ATTACK. 


31 


and  with  noiseless  steps.  Ortega  was  the  first 
that  mounted  upon  the  battlements,  followed  by 
one  Martin  Galindo,  a youthful  esquire,  full  of 
spirit  and  eager  for  distinction.  Moving  stealthily 
along  the  parapet  to  the  portal  of  the  citadel,  they 
came  upon  the  sentinel  by  surprise.  Ortega 
seized  him  by  the  throat,  brandished  a dagger 
before  his  eyes,  and  ordered  him  to  point  the  way 
to  the  guard-room.  The  infidel  obeyed,  and  was 
instantly  dispatched,  to  prevent  his  giving  an 
alarm.  The  guard-room  was  a scene  rather  of 
massacre  than  combat.  Some  of  the  soldiery 
were  killed  while  sleeping,  others  were  cut  down 
almost  without  resistance,  bewildered  by  so  un- 
expected an  assault : all  were  dispatched,  for  the 
scaling  party  w'as  too  small  to  make  prisoners  or 
to  spare.  The  alarm  spread  throughout  the 
castle,  but  by  this  time  the  three  hundred  picked 
men  had  mounted  the  battlements.  The  garrison, 
startled  from  sleep,  found  the  enemy  already 
masters  of  the  towers.  Some  of  the  Moors  were 
cut  down  at  once,  others  fought  desperately  from 
room  to  room,  and  the  whole  castle  resounded 
with  the  clash  of  arms,  the  cries  of  the  combat- 
ants, and  the  groans  of  the  wounded.  The  army 
in  ambush,  finding  by  the  uproar  that  the  castle 
was  surprised,  now  rushed  from  their  concealment, 
and  approached  the  walls  with  loud  shouts,  and 
sound  of  kettle-drums  and  trumpets,  to  increase 
the  confusion  and  dismay  of  the  garrison.  A 
violent  conflict  took  place  in  the  court  of  the 
castle,  where  several  of  the  scaling  party  sought 
to  throw  open  the  gates  to  admit  their  country- 


32 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


men.  Here  fell  two  valiant  alcaydes,  Nichokia 
de  Roja  and  Sancho  de  Avila ; but  they  fell  honor- 
ably, upon  a heap  of  slain.  At  length  Ortega  de 
Prado  succeeded  in  throwing  open  a postern, 
through  which  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  the  ade- 
lantado  of  Andalusia,  and  Don  Diego  de  Merlo, 
entered  with  a host  of  followers,  and  the  citadel 
remained  in  full  possession  of  the  Christians. 

As  the  Spanish  cavaliers  were  ranging  from 
room  to  room,  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  entering  an 
apartment  of  superior  richness  to  the  rest,  beheld, 
by  the  light  of  a silver  lamp,  a beautiful  Moorish 
female,  the  wife  of  the  alcayde  of  the  castle, 
whose  husband  was  absent,  attending  a wedding 
feast  at  Velez  Malaga.  She  would  have  fled  at 
the  sight  of  a Christian  warrior  in  her  apartment, 
but,  entangled  in  the  covering  of  the  bed,  she  fell 
at  the  feet  of  the  marques,  imploring  mercy. 
That  Christian  cavalier,  who  had  a soul  full  of 
honor  and  courtesy  towards  the  sex,  raised  her 
from  the  floor,  and  endeavored  to  allay  her  fears ; 
but  they  were  increased  at  the  sight  of  her  female 
attendants,  pursued  into  the  room  by  the  Spanish 
soldiery.  The  marques  reproached  his  soldiers 
with  unmanly  conduct,  and  reminded  them  that 
they  made  war  upon  men,  not  on  defenseless 
women.  Having  soothed  the  terrors  of  the 
females  by  the  promise  of  honorable  protection, 
he  appointed  a trusty  guard  to  watch  over  the  se- 
curity of  their  apartment. 

The  castle  was  now  taken  ; but  the  town  below 
it  was  in  arms.  It  was  broad  day,  and  the  people, 
recovered  from  their  panic,  were  enabled  to  see 


A FIGHT  BY  DAYLIGHT, 


83 


and  estimate  the  force  of  the  enemy.  The  inhab-^ 
itants  were  chiefly  merchants  and  tradespeople  ; 
but  the  Moors  all  possessed  a knowledge  of  the 
use  of  weapons,  and  were  of  brave  and  warlike 
spirit.  They  confided  in  the  strength  of  their 
walls,  and  the  certainty  of  speedy  relief  from 
Granada,  which  was  but  about  eight  leagues  dis- 
tant. Manning  the  battlements  and  towers,  they 
discharged  showers  of  stones  and  arrows,  when- 
ever the  part  of  the  Christian  army,  without  the 
walls,  attempted  to  approach.  They  barricadoed 
the  entrances  of  their  streets,  also,  which  opened 
towards  the  castle  ; stationing  men  expert  at  the 
cross-bow  and  arquebuse.  These  kept  up  a con- 
stant fire  upon  the  gate  of  the  castle,  so  that  no 
one  could  sally  forth  without  being  instantly  shot 
down.  Two  valiant  cavaliers,  who  attempted  to 
lead  forth  a party  in  defiance  of  this  fatal  tempest, 
were  shot  dead  at  the  very  portal. 

The  Christians  now  found  themselves  in  a 
situation  of  great  peril.  Eeinforcements  must 
soon  arrive  to  the  enemy  from  Granada ; unless, 
therefore,  they  gained  possession  of  the  town  in 
the  course  of  the  day,  they  were  likely  to  be  sur- 
rounded and  beleaguered,  without  provisions,  in 
the  castle.  Some  observed  that,  even  if  they 
took  the  town,  they  should  not  be  able  to  maintain 
possession  of  it.  They  proposed,  therefore,  to 
make  booty  of  everything  valuable,  to  sack  the 
castle,  set  it  on  fire,  and  make  good  their  retreat 
to  Seville. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  was  of  different  counsel 
God  has  given  the  citadel  into  Christian  hands, 

3 


34 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


said  he  ; “ he  will  no  doubt  strengthen  them  to 
maintain  it.  We  have  gained  the  place  with 
difficulty  and  bloodshed  ; it  would  be  a stain  upon 
our  honor  to  abandon  it  through  fear  of  imaginary 
dangers.’’  The  adelantado  and  Don  Diego  de 
Merlo  joined  in  his  opinion  ; but  without  their 
earnest  and  united  remonstrances,  the  place  would 
have  been  abandoned ; so  exhausted  were  the 
troops  by  forced  marches  and  hard  fighting,  and 
so  apprehensive  of  the  approach  of  the  Moors  of 
Granada. 

The  strength  and  spirits  of  the  party  within 
the  castle,  were  in  some  degree  restored  by  the 
provisions  which  they  found.  The  Christian  army 
beneath  the  town,  being  also  refreshed  by  a morn- 
ing’s repast,  advanced  vigorously  to  the  attack  of 
the  walls.  They  planted  their  scaling-ladders, 
and,  swarming  up,  sword  in  hand,  fought  fiercely 
with  the  Moorish  soldiery  upon  the  ramparts. 

In  the  meantime,  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  seeing 
that  the  gate  of  the  castle,  which  opened  toward 
the  city,  was  completely  commanded  by  the  artil- 
lery of  the  enemy,  ordered  a large  breach  to  be 
made  in  the  wall,  through  which  he  might  lead 
his  troops  to  the  attack ; animating  them,  in  this 
perilous  moment,  by  assuring  them  that  the  place 
should  be  given  up  to  plunder,  and  its  inhabitants 
made  captives. 

The  breach  being  made,  the  marques  put  him- 
self at  the  head  of  his  troops,  and  entered  sword 
in  hand.  A simultaneous  attack  was  made  by 
the  Christians  in  every  part  — by  the  ramparts, 
by  the  gate,  by  the  roofs  and  walls  which  con 


CAPTURE  OF  TEE  CITY. 


35 


nected  the  castle  with  the  town.  The  Moors 
fought  valiantly  in  their  streets,  from  their  win- 
dows, and  from  the  tops  of  their  houses.  They 
were  not  equal  to  the  Christians  in  bodily 
strength,  for  they  were  for  the  most  part  peace- 
ful men,  of  industrious  callings,  and  enervated 
by  the  frequent  use  of  the  warm  bath ; but  they 
were  superior  in  number,  and  unconquerable  in 
spirit ; old  and  young,  strong  and  weak,  fought 
with  the  same  desperation.  The  Moors  fought 
for  property,  for  liberty,  for  life.  They  fought  at 
their  thresholds  and  their  hearths,  with  the 
shrieks  of  their  wives  and  children  ringing  in 
their  ears,  and  they  fought  in  the  hope  that  each 
moment  would  bring  aid  from  Granada.  They 
regarded  neither  their  own  wounds  nor  the  death 
of  their  companions ; but  continued  fighting  until 
they  fell,  and  seemed  as  if,  when  they  could  no 
longer  contend,  they  would  block  up  the  thresh- 
olds of  their  beloved  homes  with  their  mangled 
bodies.  The  Christians  fought  for  glory,  for  re- 
venge, for  the  holy  faith,  and  for  the  spoil  of 
these  wealthy  infidels.  Success  would  place  a 
rich  town  at  their  mercy ; failure  would  deliver 
them  into  the  hands  of  the  tyrant  of  Granada. 

The  contest  raged  from  morning  until  night, 
when  the  Moors  began  to  yield.  Retreating  to 
a large  mosque  near  the  walls,  they  kept  up  so 
galling  a fire  from  it  with  lances,  cross-bows,  and 
arquebuses,  that  for  some  time  the  Christians 
dared  not  approach.  Covering  themselves,  at 
length,  with  bucklers  and  mantelets,^  to  protect 
^ Mantelet — a movable  parapet,  made  of  thick  planks,  to 


36 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


them  from  the  deadly  shower,  the  latter  made 
their  way  to  the  mosque,  and  set  fire  to  the 
doors.  When  the  smoke  and  flames  rolled  ia 
upon  them,  the  Moors  gave  up  all  as  lost.  Many 
rushed  forth  desperately  upon  the  enemy,  but 
were  immediately  slain ; the  rest  surrendered 
themselves  captives. 

The  struggle  was  now  at  an  end ; the  town 
remained  at  the  mercy  of  the  Christians ; and 
the  inhabitants,  both  male  and  female,  became 
the  slaves  of  those  who  made  them  prisoners. 
Some  few  escaped  by  a mine  or  subterranean 
way,  which  led  to  the  river,  and  concealed  them- 
selves, their  wives  and  children,  in  caves  and 
secret  places ; but  in  three  or  four  days  were 
compelled  to  surrender  themselves  through  hun- 
ger. 

The  town  was  given  up  to  plunder,  and  the 
booty  was  immense.  There  were  found  prodig- 
ious quantities  of  gold  and  silver,  and  jewels,  and 
rich  silks,  and  costly  stuffs  of  all  kinds ; together 
with  horses  and  beeves,  and  abundance  of  grain 
and  oil,  and  honey,  and  all  other  productions  of 
this  fruitful  kingdom ; for  in  Alhama  were  col- 
lected the  royal  rents  and  tributes  of  the  sur- 
rounding country  ; it  was  the  richest  town  in  the 
Moorish  territory,  and,  from  its  great  strength 
and  its  peculiar  situation,  was  called  the  key  to 
Granada. 

Great  waste  and  devastation  were  committed 
by  the  Spanish  soldiery ; for,  thinking  it  would 

protect  troops  when  advancing  to  sap  or  assault  a walled 

place. 


CONDUCT  OF  THE  VICTORS, 


37 


be  impossible  to  keep  possession  of  the  place, 
they  began  to  destroy  whatever  they  could  not 
take  away.  Immense  jars  of  oil  were  broken, 
costly  furniture  shattered  to  pieces,  and  maga- 
zines of  grain  broken  open,  and  their  contents 
scattered  to  the  winds.  Many  Christian  cap- 
tives, who  had  been  taken  at  Zahara,  were  found 
buried  in  a Moorish  dungeon,  and  were  trium- 
phantly restored  to  light  and  liberty;  and  a rene- 
gade Spaniard,  who  had  often  served  as  guide  to 
the  Moors  in  their  incursions  into  the  Christian 
territories,  was  hanged  on  the  highest  part  of  the 
battlements,  for  the  edification  of  the  army. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

How  the  People  of  Granada  were  affected,  on  hearing  of  the 
Capture  of  Albania;  and  how  the  Moorish  King  sallied 
forth  to  regain  it. 


MOORISH  horseman  had  spurred 
across  the  vega,  nor  reined  his  pant- 
ing steed  until  he  alighted  at  the  gate 
of  the  Alhambra.  He  brought  tidings  to  Muley 
Abul  Hassan  of  the  attack  upon  Alhama.  ‘‘  The 
Christians,”  said  he,  “are  in  the  land.  They 
came  upon  us,  we  know  not  whence  or  how,  and 
scaled  the  walls  of  the  castle  in  the  night.  There 
has  been  dreadful  fighting  and  carnage  in  its 
towers  and  courts ; and  when  I spurred  my 
steed  from  the  gate  of  Alhama,  the  castle  was  in 
possession  of  the  unbelievers.” 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  felt  for  a moment  as  if 
swift  retribution  had  come  upon  him  for  the  woes 
he  had  inflicted  upon  Zahara.  Still  he  flattered 
himself  that  this  had  only  been  some  transient 
inroad  of  a party  of  marauders,  intent  upon 
plunder ; and  that  a little  succor,  thrown  into  the 
town,  would  be  sufiicient  to  expel  them  from  the 
castle,  and  drive  them  from  the  land.  He  or- 
dered out,  therefore,  a thousand  of  his  chosen 
cavalry,  and  sent  them  in  all  speed  to  the  assist- 


WOE  IS  ME,  ALE  AM  A! 


39 


ance  of  Alhama.  They  arrived  before  its  walls 
the  morning  after  its  capture ; the  Christian 
standards  floated  upon  its  towers,  and  a body  of 
cavalry  poured  forth  from  its  gates  and  came 
wheeling  down  into  the  plain  to  receive  them. 

The  Moorish  horsemen  turned  the  reins  of 
their  steeds,  and  galloped  back  for  Granada. 
They  entered  its  gates  in  tumultuous  confusion, 
spreading  terror  and  lamentation  by  their  tidings. 
“ Alhama  is  fallen  ! Alhama  is  fallen ! ” exclaimed 
they ; ‘‘  the  Christians  garrison  its  walls ; the  key 
of  Granada  is  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy ! ” 
When  the  people  heard  these  w^ords,  they  re- 
membered the  denunciation  of  the  santon.  His 
prediction  seemed  still  to  resound  in  every  ear, 
and  its  fulfillment  to  be  at  hand.  Nothing  was 
heard  throughout  the  city  but  sighs  and  wailings. 
“ Woe  is  me,  Alhama ! ” was  in  every  mouth ; 
and  this  ejaculation  of  deep  sorrow  and  doleful 
foreboding,  came  to  be  the  burthen  of  a plaintive 
ballad,  which  remains  until  the  present  day.  ^ 
Many  aged  men,  who  had  taken  refuge  in 
Granada  from  other  Moorish  dominions  which 
had  fallen  into  the  power  of  the  Christians,  now 
groaned  in  despair  at  the  thoughts  that  war  was 
to  follow  them  into  this  last  retreat,  to  lay  waste 
this  pleasant  land,  and  to  bring  trouble  and  sor- 
row upon  their  declining  years.  The  women 
were  more  loud  and  vehement  in  their  grief;  for 
they  beheld  the  evils  impending  over  their  chil- 

1 The  mournful  little  Spanish  romance  of  Ayde  mi  Alhama! 
is  supposed  to  be  of  Moorish  origin,  and  to  embody  the  grief 
of  the  people  of  Granada  on  this  occasion. 


40 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


dren,  and  what  can  restrain  the  agony  of  a 
mother’s  heart  ? Many  of  them  made  their  way 
through  the  halls  of  the  Alhambra  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  king,  weeping,  and  wailing,  and  tear- 
ing their  hair.  “ Accursed  be  the  day,”  cried 
they,  that  thou  hast  lit  the  flame  of  war  in  our 
land ! May  the  holy  Prophet  bear  witness  be- 
fore Allah  that  we  and  our  children  are  innocent 
Df  this  act ! Upon  thy  head,  and  upon  the  heads 
of  thy  posterity,  until  the  end  of  the  world,  rest 
the  sin  of  the  desolation  of  Zahara ! ” ^ 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  remained  unmoved  amidst 
all  this  storm  ; his  heart  was  hardened  (observes 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida)  like  that  of  Pharaoh,  to 
the  end  that,  through  his  blind  violence  and  rage, 
he  might  produce  the  deliverance  of  the  land 
from  its  heathen  bondage.  In  fact,  he  was  a 
bold  and  fearless  warrior,  and  trusted  soon  to 
make  this  blow  recoil  upon  the  head  of  the  enemy. 
He  had  ascertained  that  the  captors  of  Alhama 
were  but  a handful:  they  were  in  the  centre  of 
his  dominions,  within  a short  distance  of  his  cap- 
ital. They  were  deficient  in  munitions  of  war 
and  provisions  for  sustaining  a siege.  By  a 
rapid  movement  he  might  surround  them  with  a 
powerful  army,  cut  off  all  aid  from  their  coun- 
trymen, and  entrap  them  in  the  fortress  they  had 
taken. 

To  think  was  to  act,  with  Muley  Abul  Has- 
san ; but  he  was  prone  to  act  with  too  much  pre- 
cipitation. He  immediately  set  forth  in  person, 
with  three  thousand  horse  and  fifty  thousand  foot, 

1 Garibay,  lib.  40,  c.  29. 


MARCH  OF  AGUILAR, 


41 


and,  in  his  eagerness  to  arrive  at  the  scene  of 
action,  would  not  wait  to  provide  artillery  and 
the  various  engines  required  in  a siege.  The 
multitude  of  my  forces,”  said  he,  confidently, 
“ will  be  sufficient  to  overwhelm  the  enemy.” 

The  marques  of  Cadiz,  who  thus  held  posses- 
sion of  Alhama,  had  a chosen  friend  and  faithful 
companion  in  arms,  among  the  most  distinguished 
of  the  Christian  chivalry.  This  was  Don  Alonzo 
de  Cordova,  senior  and  lord  of  the  house  of 
Aguilar,  and  brother  of  Gonsalvo  of  Cordova, 
afterwards  renowned  as  Grand  Captain  of  Spain. 
As  yet,  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  was  the  glory  of  his 
name  and  race  — for  his  brother  was  but  young 
in  arms.  He  was  one  of  the  most  hardy,  val- 
iant, and  enterprising  of  the  Spanish  knights, 
and  foremost  in  all  service  of  a perilous  and  ad- 
venturous nature.  He  had  not  been  at  hand,  to 
accompany  his  friend,  Ponce  de  Leon,  marques 
of  Cadiz,  in  his  inroad  into  the  Moorish  terri- 
tory ; but  he  hastily  assembled  a number  of  re- 
tainers, horse  and  foot,  and  pressed  forward  to 
join  the  enterprise.  Arriving  at  the  river  Ye- 
guas,  he  found  the  baggage  of  the  army  still 
upon  its  banks,  and  took  charge  of  it  to  carry  it 
to  Alhama.  The  marques  of  Cadiz  heard  of 
the  approach  of  his  friend,  whose  march  was 
slow  in  consequence  of  being  encumbered  by  the 
baggage.  He  was  within  but  a few  leagues  of 
Alhama,  when  scouts  came  hurrying  into  the 
place,  with  intelligence  that  the  Moorish  king  was 
at  hand  with  a powerful  army.  The  marques 
of  Cadiz  was  filled  with  alarm  lest  De  Aguilar 


42 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  For- 
getting his  own  danger,  and  thinking  only  of 
that  of  his  friend,  he  dispatched  a well-mounted 
messenger  to  ride  full  speed,  and  warn  him  not 
to  approach. 

The  first  determination  of  Alonzo  de  Aguilar, 
when  he  heard  that  the  Moorish  king  was  at 
hand,  was  to  take  a strong  position  in  the  moun- 
tains, and  await  his  coming.  The  madness  of 
an  attempt  with  his  handful  of  men  to  oppose  an 
immense  army,  was  represented  to  him  with  such 
force  as  to  induce  him  to  abandon  the  idea ; he 
then  thought  of  throwing  himself  into  Alhama, 
to  share  the  fortunes  of  his  friend : but  it  was 
now  too  late.  The  Moor  would  infallibly  inter- 
cept him,  and  he  should  only  give  the  marques 
the  additional  distress  of  beholding  him  captured 
beneath  his  walls.  It  was  even  urged  upon  him 
that  he  had  no  time  for  delay,  if  he  would  con- 
sult his  own  safety,  which  could  only  be  insured 
by  an  immediate  retreat  into  the  Christian  terri- 
tory. This  last  opinion  was  confirmed  by  the 
return  of  scouts,  who  brought  information  that 
Mu  ley  Abul  Hassan  had  received  notice  of  his 
movements,  and  was  rapidly  advancing  in  quest 
of  him.  It  was  with  infinite  reluctance  that 
Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  yielded  to  these  united 
and  powerful  reasons.  Proudly  and  sullenly  he 
drew  off  his  forces,  laden  with  the  baggage  of 
the  army,  and  made  an  unwilling  retreat  towards 
Antiquera.  Muley  Abul  Hassan  pursued  him 
for  some  distance  through  the  mountains,  but 
soon  gave  up  the  chase,  and  turned  with  his 
Ibrces  upon  Alhama.  ^ 


SIEGE  OF  ALEAMA, 


43 


As  the  army  approached  the  town,  they  beheld 
the  fields  strewn  with  the  dead  bodies  of  theif 
countrymen,  who  had  fallen  in  defense  of  the 
place,  and  had  been  cast  forth  and  left  unburied 
by  the  Christians.  There  they  lay,  mangled  and 
exposed  to  every  indignity ; while  droves  of  half- 
famished  dogs  were  preying  upon  them,  and  fight- 
ing and  howling  over  their  hideous  repast.^  Fu- 
rious at  the  sight,  the  Moors,  in  the  first  transports 
of  their  rage,  attacked  those  ravenous  animals  : 
their  next  measure  was  to  vent  their  fury  upon 
the  Christians.  They  rushed  like  madmen  to  the 
walls,  applied  scaling-ladders  in  all  parts,  without 
waiting  for  the  necessary  mantelets  and  other  pro- 
tections,— thinking,  by  attacking  suddenly  and 
at  various  points,  to  distract  the  enemy,  and  over- 
come them  by  the  force  of  numbers. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz,  with  his  confederate 
commanders,  distributed  themselves  along  the 
walls,  to  direct  and  animate  their  men  in  the  de- 
fense. The  Moors,  in  their  blind  fury,  often  as- 
sailed the  most  difficult  and  dangerous  places. 
Darts,  stones,  and  all  kinds  of  missiles,  were  hurled 
down  upon  their  defenseless  heads.  As  fast  as 
they  mounted,  they  were  cut  down,  or  dashed  from 
the  battlements,  their  ladders  overturned,  and  all 
who  were  on  them  precipitated  headlong  below. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  stormed  with  passion  at 
the  sight ; he  sent  detachment  after  detachment 
to  scale  the  walls  — but  in  vain ; they  were  like 
waves  rushing  upon  a rock,  only  to  dash  them- 
selves to  pieces.  The  Moors  lay  in  heaps  beneath 
1 Pulgar  Cronica, 


44 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  wall,  and  among  them  many  of  the  bravest 
cavaliers  of  Granada.  The  Christians,  also,  sal- 
lied frequently  from  the  gates,  and  made  great 
havoc  in  the  irregular  multitude  of  assailants. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  now  became  sensible  of 
his  error  in  hurrying  from  Granada  without  the 
proper  engines  for  a siege.  Destitute  of  all  means 
to  batter  the  fortifications,  the  town  remained  un- 
injured, defying  the  mighty  army  which  raged 
and  roamed  before  it.  Incensed  at  being  thus 
foiled,  Muley  Abul  Hassan  gave  orders  to  under- 
mine the  walls.  The  Moors  advanced  with  shouts 
to  the  attempt.  They  were  received  with  a deadly 
fire  from  the  ramparts,  which  drove  them  from 
their  works.  Repeatedly  were  they  repulsed,  and 
repeatedly  did  they  return  to  the  charge.  The 
Christians  not  merely  galled  them  from  the  bat- 
tlements, but  issued  forth  and  cut  them  down  in 
the  excavations  they  were  attempting  to  form. 
The  contest  lasted  throughout  a whole  day,  and 
by  evening  two  thousand  Moors  were  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  now  abandoned  all  hope 
of  carrying  the  place  by  assault,  and  attempted  to 
distress  it  into  terms  by  turning  the  channel  of 
the  river  which  runs  by  its  walls.  On  this  stream 
the  inhabitants  depended  for  their  supply  of  water ; 
the  place  being  destitute  of  fountains  and  cisterns, 
from  which  circumstances  it  is  called  Alhama  la 
seca^  or  “ the  dry.” 

A desperate  conflict  ensued  on  the  banks  of  the 
river,  the  Moors  endeavoring  to  plant  palisades  in 
its  bed  to  divert  the  stream,  and  the  Christians 


SIEGE  OF  ALHAMa, 


45 

striving  to  prevent  them.  The  Spanish  comman- 
ders exposed  themselves  to  the  utmost  danger  to 
animate  their  men,  who  were  repeatedly  driven 
back  into  the  town.  The  marques  of  Cadiz  was 
often  up  to  his  knees  in  the  stream,  fighting  hand 
to  hand  with  the  Moors.  The  water  ran  red  with 
blood,  and  was  encumbered  with  dead  bodies. 
At  length,  the  overwhelming  numbers  of  the 
Moors  gave  them  the  advantage,  and  they  suc- 
ceeded in  diverting  the  greater  part  of  the  water. 
The  Christians  had  to  struggle  severely,  to  supply 
themselves  from  the  feeble  rill  which  remained. 
They  sallied  to  the  river  by  a subterraneous  pas- 
sage ; but  the  Moorish  cross-bowmen  stationed 
themselves  on  the  opposite  bank,  keeping  up  a 
heavy  fire  upon  the  Christians,  whenever  they 
attempted  to  fill  their  vessels  from  the  scanty  and 
turbid  stream.  One  party  of  the  Christians  had, 
therefore,  to  fight,  while  another  drew  water.  At 
all  hours  of  the  day  and  night,  this  deadly  strife 
was  maintained,  until  it  seemed  as  if  every  drop 
of  water  were  purchased  with  a drop  of  blood. 

In  the  mean  time  the  sufferings  of  the  town 
became  intense.  None  but  the  soldiery  and  their 
horses  were  allowed  the  precious  beverage  so 
dearly  earned,  and  even  that  in  quantities  that 
only  tantalized  their  wants.  The  wounded,  who 
could  not  sally  to  procure  it,  were  almost  desti- 
tute ; while  the  unhappy  prisoners,  shut  up  in 
the  mosques,  were  reduced  to  frightful  extremi- 
ties. Many  perished  raving  mad,  fancying  th*^- 
selves  swimming  in  boundless  seas,  yet  unable  to 
assuage  their  thirst.  Many  of  the  soldiers  lay 


/ 


46  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

parched  and  panting  along  the  battlements,  no 
longer  able  to  draw  a bowstring  or  hurl  a stone ; 
while  above  .ive  thousand  Moors,  stationed  upon 
a rocky  height  which  overlooked  part  of  the  town, 
kept  up  a galling  fire  into  it  with  slings  and  cross- 
bows ; so  that  the  marques  of  Cadiz  was  obliged 
to  heighten  the  battlements,  by  using  the  doors 
from  the  private  dwellings. 

The  Christian  cavaliers,  exposed  to  this  ex- 
treme peril,  and  in  imminent  danger  of  fulling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  dispatched  fleet  messen- 
gers to  Seville  and  Cordova,  entreating  the  chiv- 
alry of  Andalusia  to  hasten  to  their  aid.  They 
sent  likewise,  imploring  assistance  from  the  king 
and  queen,  who  at  that  time  held  their  court  in 
Medina  del  Campo.  In  the  midst  of  their  dis- 
tress, a tank  or  cistern  of  water  was  fortunately 
discovered  in  the  city,  which  gave  temporary  re- 
lief to  their  sufferings. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

How  the  Duke  of  Medina  Sidonia,  and  the  Chivalry  of  Anda« 
lusia,  hastened  to  the  Relief  of  Alhama. 

HE  perilous  situation  of  the  Christian 
cavaliers  pent  up  and  beleaguered  within 
the  walls  of  Alhama,  spread  terror 
among  their  friends,  and  anxiety  throughout  all 
Andalusia.  Nothing,  however  could  equal  the 
anguish  of  the  marchioness  of  Cadiz,  the  wife  of 
the  gallant  Roderigo  Ponce  de  Leon.  In  her 
deep  distress,  she  looked  round  for  some  power- 
ful noble,  who  had  the  means  of  rousing  the  coun- 
try to  the  assistance  of  her  husband.  No  one 
appeared  more  competent  for  the  purpose  than 
Don  Juan  de  Guzman,  the  duke  of  Medina  Sido- 
nia. He  was  one  of  the  most  wealthy  and  puis- 
sant grandees  of  Spain  ; his  possessions  extended 
over  some  of  the  most  fertile  parts  of  Andalusia, 
embracing  towns,  and  sea-ports,  and  numerous 
villages.  Here  he  reigned  in  feudal  state,  like  a 
petty  sovereign,  and  could  at  any  time  bring  into 
the  field  an  immense  force  of  vassals  and  retain- 
ers. 

The  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  and  the  marques 
of  Cadiz,  however,  were  at  this  time  deadly  foes. 
An  hereditary  feud  existed  between  them,  which 


48 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


had  often  arisen  to  bloodshed  and  open  war;  for 
as  yet  the  fierce  contests  between  the  proud  and 
puissant  Spanish  nobles  had  not  been  completely 
quelled  by  the  power  of  the  crown,  and  in  this 
respect  they  exerted  a right  of  sovereignty,  in 
leading  their  vassals  against  each  other  in  open 
field. 

The  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  would  have  ap- 
peared, to  many,  the  very  last  person  to  whom  to 
apply  for  aid  of  the  marques  of  Cadiz  ; but  the 
marchioness  judged  of  him  by  the  standard  of 
her  own  high  and  generous  mind.  She  knew 
him  to  be  a gallant  and  courteous  knight,  and  had 
already  experienced  the  magnanimity  of  his  spirit, 
having  been  relieved  by  him  when  besieged  by 
the  Moors  in  her  husband’s  fortress  of  Arcos.  To 
the  duke,  therefore,  she  applied  in  this  moment 
of  sudden  calamity,  imploring  him  to  furnish 
succor  to  her  husband.  The  event  showed  how 
well  noble  spirits  understand  each  other.  No 
sooner  did  the  duke  receive  this  appeal  from  the 
wife  of  his  enemy,  than  he  generously  forgot  all 
feeling  of  animosity,  and  determined  to  go  in 
person  to  his  succor.  He  immediately  dispatched 
a courteous  letter  to  the  marchioness,  assuring  her 
that  in  consideration  of  the  request  of  so  honor- 
able and  estimable  a lady,  and  to  rescue  from 
peril  so  valiant  a cavalier  as  her  husband,  whose 
loss  would  be  great,  not  only  to  Spain,  but  to  all 
Christendom,  he  would  forego  the  recollection  of 
all  past  grievances,  and  hasten  to  his  relief  with 
all  the  forces  he  could  raise. 

The  duke  wrote  at  the  same  time  to  the  al- 


SIEGE  OF  ALEAMA. 


49 


caydes  of  his  towns  and  fortresses,  ordering  them 
to  join  him  forthwith  at  Seville,  with  all  the 
forces  they  could  spare  from  their  garrisons.  He 
called  on  all  the  chivalry  of  Andalusia  to  make 
a common  cause  in  the  rescue  of  those  Christian 
cavaliers,  and  he  offered  large  pay  to  all  volun- 
teers who  would  resort  to  him  with  horses,  armor, 
and  provisions.  Thus  all  who  could  be  incited  by 
honor,  religion,  patriotism,  or  thirst  of  gain,  were 
induced  to  hasten  to  his  standard,  and  he  took  the 
field  with  an  army  of  five  thousand  horse  and 
fifty  thousand  foot.^  Many  cavaliers  of  distin- 
guished name  accompanied  him  in  this  generous 
enterprise.  Among  these  was  the  redoubtable 
Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  the  chosen  friend  of  the 
marques  of  Cadiz,  and  with  him  his  younger 
brother,  Gonsalvo  Fernandez  de  Cordova,  after- 
wards renowned  as  the  Grand  Captain  ; Don  Ro- 
derigo  Giron,  also,  Master  of  the  order  of  Cala- 
trava,  together  with  Martin  Alonzo  de  Monte- 
mayor,  and  the  marques  De  Villena,  esteemed 
the  best  lance  in  Spain.  It  was  a gallant  and 
splendid  army,  comprising  the  flower  of  Spanish 
chivalry,  and  poured  forth  in  brilliant  array  from 
the  gates  of  Seville,  bearing  the  great  standard 
of  that  ancient  and  renowned  city. 

Ferdinand  and  Isabella  were  at  Medina  del 
Campo,  when  tidings  came  of  the  capture  of  Al- 
hama.  The  king  was  at  mass  when  he  received 
the  news,  and  ordered  Te  Deum  to  be  chanted  for 
this  signal  triumph  of  the  holy  faith.  When  the 

1 Cronica  de  Los  Duques  de  Medina  Sidonia^  por  Pedro  de 
Medina,  MS. 

4 


/ 


50  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

first  flush  of  triumph  had  subsided,  and  the  king 
learnt  the  imminent  peril  of  the  valorous  Ponce 
de  Leon  and  his  companions,  and  the  great  danger 
that  this  stronghold  might  again  be  wrested  from 
their  grasp,  he  resolved  to  hurry  in  person  to  the 
scene  of  action.  So  pressing  appeared  to  him  the 
emergency,  that  he  barely  gave  himself  time  to 
take  a hasty  repast  while  horses  were  providing, 
and  then  departed  at  furious  speed  for  Andalusia, 
leaving  a request  for  the  queen  to  follow  him.^ 
He  was  attended  by  Don  Beltram  de  la  Cueva, 
duke  of  Albuquerque,  Don  Inigo  Lopez  de  Men- 
doza, count  of  Tendilla,  and  Don  Pedro  Mauriques, 
count  of  Trevino,  with  a few  more  cavaliers  of 
prowess  and  distinction.  He  travelled  by  forced 
journeys,  frequently  changing  his  jaded  horses, 
being  eager  to  arrive  in  time  to  take  command 
of  the  Andalusian  chivalry.  When  he  arrived 
within  five  leagues  of  Cordova,  the  duke  of 
Albuquerque  remonstrated  with  him  upon  enter- 
ing, with  such  incautious  haste,  into  the  enemies’ 
country.  He  represented  to  him  that  there  were 
troops  enough  assembled  to  succor  Alhama,  and 
that  it  was  not  for  him  to  venture  his  royal  person 
in  doing  what  could  be  done  by  his  subjects ; 
especially  as  he  had  such  valiant  and  experienced 
captains  to  act  for  him.  “ Besides,  sire,”  added 
the  duke,  “ your  majesty  should  bethink  you  that 
the  troops  about  to  take  the  field  are  mere  men 
of  Andalusia,  whereas  your  illustrious  predecessors 
never  made  an  inroad  into  the  territory  of  the 
Moors,  without  being  accompanied  by  a powerful 
I Illescas,  Hist.  Pontifical, 


SIEGE  OF  ALHAMA, 


51 


force  of  the  stanch  and  iron  warriors  of  old 
Castile.” 

“ Duke,”  replied  the  king,  your  counsel  might 
have  been  good,  had  I not  departed  from  Medina 
with  the  avowed  determination  of  succoring  these 
cavaliers  in  person.  I am  now  near  the  end  of 
my  journey,  and  it  would  be  beneath  my  dignity 
to  change  my  intention,  before  even  I had  met 
with  an  impediment.  I shall  take  the  troops  of 
this  country  who  are  assembled,  without  waiting 
for  those  of  Castile,  and  with  the  aid  of  God, 
shall  prosecute  my  journey.”  ^ 

As  King  Ferdinand  approached  Cordova,  the 
principal  inhabitants  came  forth  to  receive  him. 
Learning,  however,  that  the  duke  of  Medina 
Sidonia  was  already  on  the  march,  and  pressing 
forward  into  the  territory  of  the  Moors,  the  king 
was  all  on  fire  to  overtake  him,  and  to  lead  in 
person  the  succor  to  Alhama.  Without  entering 
Cordova,  therefore,  he  exchanged  his  weary 
horses  for  those  of  the  inhabitants  who  had  come 
forth  to  meet  him,  and  pressed  forward  for  the 
army.  He  dispatched  fleet  couriers  in  advance, 
requesting  the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  to  await 
his  coming,  that  he  might  take  command  of  the 
forces. 

Neither  the  duke  nor  his  companions  in  arms, 
however,  felt  inclined  to  pause  in  their  generous 
expedition,  and  gratify  the  inclinations  of  the 
king.  They  sent  back  missives,  representing  that 
they  were  far  within  the  enemies’  frontier,  and  it 
was  dangerous  either  to  pause  or  turn  back.  They 
A Pulgar,  Cronica,  p.  3.  cap.  3. 


/ 


52  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

had  likewise  received  pressing  entreaties  from  the 
besieged  to  hasten  their  speed,  setting  forth  their 
great  sufferings,  and  their  hourly  peril  of  being 
overwhelmed  by  the  enemy. 

The  king  was  at  Ponton  del  Maestre,  when  he 
received  these  missives.  So  inflamed  was  he  with 
zeal  for  the  success  of  this  enterprise,  that  he 
would  have  penetrated  into  the  kingdom  of  Gra- 
nada with  the  handful  of  cavaliers  who  accom- 
panied him,  but  they  represented  the  rashness  of 
such  a journey,  through  the  mountainous  defiles 
of  a hostile  country,  thickly  beset  with  towns 
and  castles.  With  some  difficulty,  therefore,  he 
was  dissuaded  from  his  inclination,  and  prevailed 
upon  to  await  tidings  from  the  army,  in  the  frontier 
city  of  Antiquera. 


CHAPTER  Vin. 


Sequel  of  the  Events  at  Alhama. 

HILE  all  Andalusia  was  thus  in  arms 
'■  and  pouring  its  chivalry  through  the 
mountain  passes  of  the  Moorish  fron^i 
tiers,  the  garrison  of  Alhama  was  reduced  to  great 
extremity,  and  in  danger  of  sinking  under  its 
sufferings  before  the  promised  succor  could  arrive. 
The  intolerable  thirst  that  prevailed  in  conse- 
quence of  the  scarcity  of  water,  the  incessant 
watch  that  had  to  be  maintained  over  the  vast 
force  of  enemies  without,  and  the  great  number 
of  prisoners  within,  and  the  wounds  which  almost 
every  soldier  had  received  in  the  incessant  skir- 
mishes and  assaults,  had  worn  grievously  both 
flesh  and  spirit.  The  noble  Ponce  de  Leon, 
marques  of  Cadiz,  still  animated  the  soldiery, 
however,  by  word  and  example,  sharing  every 
hardship,  and  being  foremost  in  every  danger  ; 
exemplifying  that  a good  commander  is  the  vital 
spirit  of  an  army. 

When  Muley  Abul  Hassan  heard  of  the  vast 
force  that  was  approaching  under  the  command 
of  the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia,  and  that  Ferdi- 
nand was  coming  in  person  with  additional  troops, 
he  perceived  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost;  Al- 


54 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


hama  must  be  carried  by  one  powerful  attack,  or 
abandoned  entirely  to  the  Christians. 

A number  of  Moorish  cavaliers,  some  of  the 
bravest  youth  of  Granada,  knowing  the  wishes 
of  the  king,  proposed  to  undertake  a desperate 
enterprise,  which,  if  successful,  must  put  Alhama 
in  his  power.  Early  one  morning,  when  it  was 
scarcely  the  gray  of  the  dawn,  about  the  time  of 
changing  the  watch,  these  cavaliers  approached 
the  town,  at  a place  considered  inaccessible,  from 
the  steepness  of  the  rocks  on  which  the  wall 
was  founded;  which  it  was  supposed,  elevated 
the  battlements  beyond  the  reach  of  the  longest 
scaling-ladder.  The  Moorish  knights,  aided  by  a 
number  of  the  strongest  and  most  active  escalad- 
ors,  mounted  these  rocks,  and  applied  the  ladders, 
without  being  discovered  ; for,  to  divert  attention 
from  them,  Muley  Abul  Hassan  made  a false  at- 
tack upon  the  town  in  another  quarter. 

The  scaling  party  mounted  with  difficulty,  and 
in  small  numbers  ; the  sentinel  was  killed  at  his 
post,  and  seventy  of  the  Moors  made  their  way 
into  the  streets  before  an  alarm  was  given.  The 
guards  rushed  to  the  walls,  to  stop  the  hostile 
throng  that  was  still  pouring  in.  A sharp  con- 
flict, hand  to  hand  and  man  to  man,  took  place  on 
the  battlements,  and  many  on  both  sides  fell. 
The  Moors,  whether  wounded  or  slain,  were 
thrown  headlong  without  the  walls ; the  scaling- 
ladders  were  overturned,  and  those  who  were 
mounting  were  dashed  upon  the  rocks,  and  from 
thence  tumbled  upon  the  plain.  Thus,  in  a little 
while,  the  ramparts  were  cleared  by  Christian 


SEQUEL  OF  EVENTS  AT  ALE  AM  A 55 

prowess,  led  on  by  that  valiant  knight  Don 
Alonzo  Ponce,  the  uncle,  and  that  brave  esquire 
Pedro  Pineda,  nephew  of  the  marques  of  Cadiz. 

The  walls  being  cleared,  these  two  kindred 
cavaliers  now  hastened  with  their  forces  in  pur- 
suit of  the  seventy  Moors,  who  had  gained  an 
entrance  into  the  town.  The  main  party  of  the 
garrison  being  engaged  at  a distance  resisting  the 
feigned  attack  of  the  Moorish  king,  this  fierce 
band  of  infidels  had  ranged  the  streets  almost 
without  opposition,  and  were  making  their  way 
to  the  gates  to  throw  them  open  to  the  army.^ 
They  were  chosen  men  from  among  the  Moorish 
forces,  several  of  them  gallant  knights,  of  the 
proudest  families  of  Granada.  Their  footsteps 
through  the  city  were  in  a manner  printed  in 
blood,  and  they  were  tracked  by  the  bodies  of 
those  they  had  killed  and  wounded.  They  had 
attained  the  gate ; most  of  the  guard  had  fallen 
beneath  their  scimetars ; a moment  more,  and 
Alhama  would  have  been  thrown  open  to  the 
enemy. 

Just  at  this  juncture,  Don  Alonzo  Ponce  and 
Pedro  de  Pineda  reached  the  spot  with  their 
forces.  The  Moors  had  the  enemy  in  front  and 
rear ; they  placed  themselves  back  to  back,  with 
their  banner  in  the  centre.  In  this  way  they 
fought  with  desperate  and  deadly  determination, 
making  a rampart  around  them  with  the  slain. 
More  Christian  troops  arrived,  and  hemmed  them 
in ; but  still  they  fought,  without  asking  for  quar- 
ter. As  their  numbers  decreased,  they  serried 
1 Zurita,  lib.  20,  c.  43. 


56 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


their  circle  still  closer ; defending  their  bannei 
from  assault ; and  the  last  Moor  died  at  his  post, 
grasping  the  standard  of  the  prophet.  This  stan- 
dard was  displayed  from  the  walls,  and  the  tur- 
baned  heads  of  the  Moors  were  thrown  down  to 
the  besiegers.^ 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  tore  his  beard  with  rage 
at  the  failure  of  this  attempt,  and  at  the  death  of 
so  many  of  his  chosen  cavaliers.  He  saw  that 
all  further  effort  was  in  vain : his  scouts  brought 
word  that  they  had  seen  from  the  heights  the 
long  columns  and  flaunting  banners  of  the  Chris- 
tian army  approaching  through  the  mountains. 
To  linger,  would  be  to  place  himself  between  two 
bodies  of  the  enemy.  Breaking  up  his  camp, 
therefore,  in  all  haste,  he  gave  up  the  siege  of 
Alhama,  and  hastened  back  to  Granada;  and 
the  last  clash  of  his  cymbals  scarce  died  upon 
the  ear  from  the  distant  hills,  before  the  stan- 
dard of  the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  was  seen 
emerging  in  another  direction  from  the  defiles  of 
the  mountains. 

When  the  Christians  in  Alhama  beheld  their 
enemies  retreating  on  one  side,  and  their  friends 
advancing  on  the  other,  they  uttered  shouts  of  joy 
and  hymns  of  thanksgiving,  for  it  was  as  a sud- 
den relief  from  present  death.  Harassed  by  sev- 
eral weeks  of  incessant  vigil  and  fighting,  suffer- 
ing from  scarcity  of  provisions  and  almost  contin- 

1 Pedro  de  Pineda  received  the  honor  of  knighthood  from 
the  hand  of  king  Ferdinand,  for  his  valor  on  this  occasion 
(Alonzo  Ponce  was  already  knight).  — See  Zuniga,  Annals  of 
SeviUej  lib.  12,  an.  1482. 


SPANISH  CHIVALRY, 


57 


ual  thirst,  they  resembled  skeletons  rather  than 
living  men.  It  was  a noble  and  gracious  spectacle 
' — the  meeting  of  those  hitherto  inveterate  foes, 
the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  and  the  marques  ol 
Cadiz.  At  sight  of  his  magnanimous  deliverer 
the  marques  melted  into  tears  : all  past  animosi- 
ties only  gave  the  greater  poignancy  to  present 
feelings  of  gratitude  and  admiration.  The  late 
deadly  rivals  clasped  'each  other  in  their  arms, 
and  from  that  time  forward  were  true  and  cor- 
dial friends. 

While  this  generous  scene  took  place  between 
the  commanders,  a sordid  contest  arose  among 
their  troops.  The  soldiers  who  had  come  to  the 
rescue  claimed  a portion  of  the  spoils  of  Alhama ; 
and  so  violent  was  the  dispute,  that  both  parties 
seized  their  arms.  The  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia 
interfered,  and  settled  the  question  with  his  char- 
acteristic magnanimity.  He  declared  that  the 
spoil  belonged  to  those  who  had  captured  the 
city.  “We  have  taken  the  field,’’  said  he,  “ only 
for  honor,  for  religion,  and  for  the  rescue  of  our 
countrymen  and  fellow  Christians  ; and  the  suc- 
cess of  our  enterprise  is  a sufiicient  and  a glorious 
reward.  If  we  desire  booty,  there  are  sufiicient 
Moorish  cities  yet  to  be  taken,  to  enrich  us  all.” 
The  soldiers  were  convinced  by  the  frank  and 
chivalrous  reasoning  of  the  duke ; they  replied  to 
his  speech  by  acclamations,  and  the  transient 
broil  was  happily  appeased. 

The  marchioness  of  Cadiz,  with  the  forethought 
of  a loving  wife,  had  dispatched  her  major-domo 
with  the  army,  with  a large  supply  of  provisions. 


58 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA. 


Tables  were  immediately  spread  beneath  the  tents, 
where  the  marques  gave  a banquet  to  the  duke 
and  the  cavaliers  who  had  accompanied  him,  and 
nothing  but  hilarity  prevailed  in  this  late  scene 
of  suffering  and  death. 

A garrison  of  fresh  troops  was  left  at  Alhama 
and  the  veterans  who  had  so  valiantly  captured 
and  maintained  it,  returned  to  their  homes,  bur- 
dened with  precious  booty.  The  marques  and 
duke,  and  their  confederate  cavaliers,  repaired  to 
Antiquera,  where  they  were  received  with  great 
distinction  by  the  king,  who  honored  the  marques 
of  Cadiz  with  signal  marks  of  favor.  The  duke 
then  accompanied  his  late  enemy,  but  now  most 
zealous  and  grateful  friend,  the  marques  of  Cadiz, 
to  his  town  of  Marchena,  where  he  received  the 
reward  of  his  generous  conduct,  in  the  thanks 
and  blessings  of  the  marchioness.  The  marques 
celebrated  a sumptuous  feast,  in  honor  of  his 
guest ; for  a day  and  night  his  palace  was  thrown 
open,  and  was  the  scene  of  continual  revel  and 
festivity.  35^hen  the  duke  departed  for  his  es- 
tates at  St.  Lucar,  the  marques  attended  him  for 
some  distance  on  his  journey ; and  when  they 
separated,  it  was  as  the  parting  scene  of  brothers. 
Such  was  the  noble  spectacle  exhibited  to  the 
chivalry  of  Spain,  by  these  two  illustrious  rivals. 
Each  reaped  universal  renown  from  the  part  he 
had  performed  in  the  campaign  ; the  marques, 
from  having  surprised  and  captured  one  of  the 
most  important  and  formidable  fortresses  of  the 
kingdom  of  Granada  ; and  the  duke,  from  having 
subdued  his  deadliest  foe,  by  a great  act  of  mag- 
nanimity. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Events  at  Granada,  and  rise  of  the  Moorish  King 
Boabdil  el  Chico. 

HE  Moorish  king,  Abul  Hassan,  returned, 
baffled  and  disappointed,  from  before  the 
walls  of  Alhama,  and  was  received  with 
groans  and  smothered  execrations  by  the  people 
of  Granada.  The  prediction  of  the  santon  was  in 
every  mouth,  and  appeared  to  be  rapidly  fulfilling ; 
for  the  enemy  was  already  strongly  fortified  in  Al- 
hama, in  the  very  heart  of  the  kingdom.  At  the 
same  time  the  nobles  who  had  secretly  conspired  to 
depose  the  old  king  and  elevate  his  son  Boabdil  to 
the  throne,  had  matured  their  plans,  in  concert 
with  the  prince,  who  had  been  joined  in  Guadix 
by  hosts  of  adherents.  An  opportunity  soon  pre- 
sented to  carry  their  plans  into  operation. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  had  a royal  country  pal- 
ace, with  gardens  and  fountains,  called  the  Alix- 
ares,  situated  on  the  Cerro  del  Sol,  or  Mountain 
of  the  Sun  ; a height,  the  ascent  to  which  leads 
up  from  the  Alhambra,  but  which  towers  far 
above  that  fortress,  and  looks  down  as  from  the 
clouds  upon  it,  and  upon  the  subjacent  city  of 
Granada.  It  was  a favorite  retreat  of  the  Moor- 
ish kings,  to  inhale  the  pure  mountain  breezes, 


60 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA. 


and  leave  far  below  the  din  and  turmoil  of  the 
city.  Muley  Abul  Hassan  had  passed  a day 
among  its  bowers,  in  company  with  his  favorite 
wife,  Zoraya,  when  towards  evening  he  heard  a 
strange  sound  rising  from  the  city,  like  the  gath- 
ering of  a storm,  or  the  sullen  roar  of  the  ocean. 
Apprehensive  of  evil,  he  ordered  the  officers  of 
his  guard  to  descend  with  all  speed  to  the  city, 
and  reconnoitre.  The  intelligence  brought  back 
was  astounding.  A civil  war  was  raging  in  the 
city.  Boabdil  had  been  brought  from  Guadix  by 
the  conspirators,  the  foremost  of  whom  were  the 
gallant  race  of  the  Abencerrages.  He  had  en- 
tered the  Albaycin  in  triumph,  and  been  hailed 
with  rapture,  and  proclaimed  king  in  that  pop- 
ulous quarter  of  the  city.  Abul  Cacim  Vanegas, 
the  vizier  at  the  head  of  the  royal  guards, 
had  attacked  the  rebels  ; and  the  noise  which  had 
alarmed  the  king,  was  the  din  of  fighting  in  the 
streets  and  squares. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  hastened  to  descend  to 
the  Alhambra,  confident  that,  ensconced  in  that 
formidable  fortress,  he  could  soon  put  an  end  to 
the  rash  commotion.  To  his  surprise  and  dismay 
he  found  the  battlements  lined  with  hostile  troops ; 
Aben  Comixa,  the  alcayde,  had  declared  in  favor 
of  Boabdil,  and  elevated  his  standard  on  the  tow- 
ers ; thus,  cut  of  from  his  stronghold,  the  old 
monarch  was  fain  to  return  to  the  Alixares. 

The  conflict  lasted  throughout  the  night  with 
carnage  on  both  sides.  In  the  morning  Abul 
Cacim,  driven  out  of  the  city,  appeared  before  the 
old  king  with  his  broken  squadrons,  and  told  him 


CIVIL  WAR  IN  THE  CITY, 


61 


there  was  no  safety  but  in  flight.  Allah  Achbar, 
(God  is  great  1)  ” exclaimed  old  Muley,  “ it  is  in 
vain  to  contend  against  what  is  written  in  the 
book  of  fate.  It  was  predestined  that  my  son 
should  sit  upon  the  throne  — Allah  forfend  the 
rest  of  the  prediction.’’  So  saying  he  made  a 
hasty  retreat,  escorted  by  Abul  Cacim  Vanegas 
and  his  troops,  who  conducted  him  to  the  castle 
of  Mondujar,  in  the  Valley  of  Locrin.  Here  he 
was  joined  by  many  powerful  cavaliers,  relatives 
of  Abul  Cacim  and  partisans  of  Zoraya ; among 
whom  were  Cid  Hiaya,  Aben  Jamy,  and  Reduan 
Vanegas,  men  who  had  alcaydes,  vassals  at  their 
command,  and  possessed  great  influence  in  Al- 
meria  and  Baza.  He  was  joined,  also,  by  his 
brother  Abdallah,  commonly  called  El  Zagal,  or 
the  Valiant ; who  was  popular  in  many  parts  of 
the  kingdom.  All  these  offered  to  aid  him  with 
their  swords  in  suppressing  the  rebellion. 

Thus  reinforced,  Muley  Abul  Hassan  deter- 
mined on  a sudden  blow  for  the  recovery  of  his 
throne  and  the  punishment  of  the  rebels.  He 
took  his  measures  with  that  combination  of  dex- 
terity and  daring  which  formed  his  character,  and 
arrived  one  night  under  the  walls  of  Granada, 
with  five  hundred  chosen  followers.  Scalino^  the 
walls  of  the  Alhambra,  he  threw  himself  with 
sanguinary  fury  into  its  silent  courts.  The  sleef 
ing  inmates  were  roused  from  their  repose  only  to 
fall  by  the  exterminating  scimetar.  The  rage  of 
Abul  Hassan  spared  neither  age,  nor  rank,  nor  sex ; 
the  halls  resounded  with  shrieks  and  yells,  and 
the  fountains  ran  red  witli  blood.  The  alcayde, 


62 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Aben  Comixa,  retreated  to  a strong  tower,  with 
a few  of  the  garrison  and  inhabitants.  The  furi- 
ous Abul  Hassan  did  not  lose  time  in  pursuing 
him  ; he  was  anxious  to  secure  the  city,  and  to 
wreak  his  vengeance  on  its  rebellious  inhabitants* 
Descending  with  his  bloody  band  into  the  streets, 
he  cut  down  the  defenseless  inhabitants,  as, 
startled  from  their  sleep,  they  rushed  forth  to 
learn  the  cause  of  the  alarm.  The  city  was  soon 
completely  roused  ; the  people  flew  to  arms  ; lights 
blazed  in  every  street,  revealing  the  scanty  num- 
ber of  this  band,  that  had  been  dealing  such  fatal 
vengeance  in  the  dark.  Muley  Abul  Hassan 
had  been  mistaken  in  his  conjectures  ; the  great 
mass  of  the  people,  incensed  by  his  tyranny,  were 
zealous  in  favor  of  his  son.  A violent,  but  tran- 
sient conflict  took  place  in  the  streets  and  squares : 
many  of  the  followers  of  Abul  Hassan  were 
slain  : the  rest  driven  out  of  the  city  ; and  the 
old  monarch,  with  the  remnant  of  his  band,  re- 
treated to  his  loyal  city  of  Malaga. 

Such  was  the  commencement  of  those  great 
internal  feuds  and  divisions,  which  hastened  the 
downfall  of  Granada.  The  Moors  became  separ- 
ated into  two  hostile  factions,  headed  by  the  father 
and  the  son,  the  latter  of  whom  was  called 
by  the  Spaniards  El  Rey  Chico^  or  the  young 
king  ; but  though  bloody  encounters  took  place 
between  them,  they  never  failed  to  act  with  all 
their  separate  force  against  the  Christians  as  a com- 
mon enemy,  whenever  an  opportunity  occurred. 


Royal  Expedition  against  Loxa. 

Bing  Ferdinand  held  a council  of 

war  at  Cordova,  where  it  was  de 
liberated  what  was  to  be  done  with  Al- 
hama.  Most  of  the  council  advised  that  it  should 
be  demolished,  inasmuch  as  being  in  the  centre 
of  the  Moorish  kingdom,  it  would  be  at  all  times 
liable  to  attack,  and  could  only  be  maintained  by 
a powerful  garrison  and  at  a vast  expense.  Queen 
Isabella  arrived  at  Cordova  in  the  midst  of  these 
deliberations,  and  listened  to  them  with  surprise 
and  impatience.  “ What ! ” said  she,  “ destroy 
the  first  fruits  of  our  victories?  Abandon  the 
first  place  we  have  wrested  from  the  Moors  ? 
Never  let  us  suffer  such  an  idea  to  occupy  our 
minds.  It  would  argue  fear  or  feebleness,  and 
give  new  courage  to  the  enemy.  You  talk  of 
the  toil  and  expense  of  maintaining  Alhama. 
Did  we  doubt,  on  undertaking  this  war,  that  it 
was  to  be  one  of  infinite  cost,  labor,  and  blood- 
shed ? And  shall  we  shrink  from  the  cost,  the 
moment  a victory  is  obtained,  and  the  question  is 
merely  to  guard  or  abandon  its  glorious  trophy  ? 
Let  us  hear  no  more  about  the  destruction  of 
Alhama ; let  us  maintain  its  walls  sacred,  as  a 


64 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


stronghold  granted  us  by  Heaven,  in  the  centre 
of  this  hostile  land ; and  let  our  only  considera- 
tion be  how  to  extend  our  conquest,  and  capture 
the  surrounding  cities.” 

The  language  of  the  queen  infused  a more 
lofty  and  chivalrous  spirit  into  the  royal  council. 
Preparations  were  made  to  maintain  Alhama  at 
all  risk  and  expense;  and  King  Ferdinand  ap- 
pointed, as  alcayde,  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto  Car- 
rero.  Senior  of  the  house  of  Palma,  supported  by 
Diego  Lopez  de  Ayala,  Pero  Ruiz  de  Alarcon, 
and  Alonzo  Ortis,  captains  of  four  hundred  lances, 
and  a body  of  one  thousand  foot,  supplied  with 
provisions  for  three  months. 

Ferdinand  resolved  also  to  lay  siege  to  Loxa, 
or  Loja,  a city  of  great  strength,  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  Alhama,  and  all-important  to  its  pro- 
tection. It  was,  in  fact,  a military  point,  situated 
in  a pass  of  the  mountains,  between  the  kingdoms 
of  Granada  and  Castile,  and  commanded  a main 
entrance  to  the  vega.  The  Xenil  flowed  by  its 
walls,  and  it  had  a strong  castle  or  citadel,  built 
on  a rock.  In  preparing  for  the  siege  of  this 
formidable  place,  Ferdinand  called  upon  all  the 
cities  and  towns  of  Andalusia  and  Estramadura, 
and  the  domains  of  the  orders  of  Santiago,  Cala- 
trava,  and  Alcantara,  and  of  the  priory  of  St. 
Juan  and  the  kingdom  of  Toledo,  and  beyond  to 
the  cities  of  Salamanca,  Toro,  and  Valladolid,  to 
furnish,  according  to  their  repartimientos  or  allot- 
ments, a certain  quantity  of  bread,  wine,  and  cat- 
tle, to  be  delivered  at  the  royal  camp  before  Loxa, 
one  half  at  the  end  of  June,  and  one  half  in  July. 


WARLIKE  PREPARATIONS. 


65 


These  lauds,  also,  together  with  Biscay  and  Gui- 
piscoa,  were  ordered  to  send  reinforcements  of 
horse  and  foot,  each  town  furnishing  its  quota; 
and  great  diligence  was  used  in  providing  bom- 
bards, powder,  and  other  warlike  munitions. 

The  Moors  were  no  less  active  in  their  prepa- 
rations, and  sent  missives  into  Africa,  entreating 
supplies,  and  calling  upon  the  Barbary  princes  to 
aid  them  in  this  war  of  the  faith.  To  intercept 
all  succor,  the  Castilian  sovereigns  stationed  an 
armada  of  ships  and  galleys  in  the  Straits  of 
Gibraltar,  under  the  command  of  Martin  Diaz 
de  Mina  and  Carlos  de  Valera,  with  orders  to 
scour  the  Barbary  coast,  and  sweep  every  Moor- 
ish sail  from  the  sea. 

While  these  preparations  were  making,  Ferdi- 
nand made  an  incursion,  at  the  head  of  his  army, 
into  the  kingdom  of  Granada,  and  laid  waste  the 
vega,  destroying  its  hamlets  and  villages,  ravaging 
its  fields  of  grain,  and  driving  away  the  cattle. 

It  was  about  the  end  of  June  that  King  Fer- 
dinand departed  from  Cordova,  to  sit  down  before 
the  walls  of  Loxa.  So  confident  was  he  of  suc- 
cess, that  he  left  a great  part  of  the  army  at 
Ecija,  and  advanced  with  but  five  thousand  cav- 
alry and  eight  thousand  infantry.  The  marques 
of  Cadiz,  a warrior  as  wise  as  he  was  valiant, 
remonstrated  against  employing  so  small  a force, 
and,  indeed,  was  opposed  to  the  measure  alto- 
gether, as  being  undertaken  precipitately,  and 
without  sufficient  preparation.  King  Ferdinand, 
however,  was  influenced  by  the  counsel  of  Don 
Diego  de  Merlo,  and  was  eager  to  strike  a bril- 
5 


66 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


liant  and  decided  blow.  A vainglorious  confi- 
dence prevailed,  about  this  time,  among  the  Span- 
ish cavaliers ; they  overrated  their  own  prowess, 
or  rather  they  undervalued  and  despised  their 
enemy.  Many  of  them  believed  that  the  Moors 
would  scarcely  remain  in  their  city  when  they 
saw  the  Christian  troops  advancing  to  assail  it. 
The  Spanish  chivalry,  therefore,  marched  gal- 
lantly and  fearlessly,  and  almost  carelessly,  over 
the  border,  scantily  supplied  with  the  things  need- 
ful for  a besieging  army,  in  the  heart  of  an  ene- 
my’s country.  In  the  same  negligent  and  confi- 
dent spirit,  they  took  up  their  station  before 
Loxa. 

The  country  around  was  broken  and  hilly,  so 
that  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  form  a combined 
camp.  The  river  Xenil,  which  runs  by  the  town, 
was  compressed  between  high  banks,  and  so  deep 
as  to  be  fordable  with  extreme  difficulty ; and  the 
Moors  had  possession  of  the  bridge.  The  king 
pitched  his  tents  in  a plantation  of  olives,  on  the 
banks  of  the  river;  the  troops  were  distributed 
in  different  encampments  on  the  heights,  but 
separated  from  each  other  by  deep  rocky  ravines, 
so  as  to  be  incapable  of  yielding  each  other 
prompt  assistance.  There  was  no  room  for  the 
operation  of  the  cavalry.  The  artillery,  also, 
was  so  injudiciously  placed  as  to  be  almost  en- 
tirely useless.  Alonzo  of  Aragon,  duke  of  Villa- 
hermosa,  and  illegitimate  brother  of  the  king,  was 
present  at  the  siege,  and  disapproved  of  the  whole 
arrangement.  He  was  one  of  the  most  able  gen- 
erals of  his  time,  and  especially  renowiied  for  his 


INSECURITY  OF  THE  CAMP. 


67 


skill  in  battering  fortified  places.  He  recom- 
mended that  the  whole  disposition  of  the  camp 
should  be  changed,  and  that  several  bridges 
should  be  thrown  across  the  river.  His  advice 
was  adopted,  but  slowly  and  negligently  followed, 
so  that  it  was  rendered  of  no  avail.  Among 
other  oversights  in  this  hasty  and  negligent  expe- 
dition, the  army  had  no  supply  of  baked  bread  ; 
and,  in  the  hurry  of  encampment,  there  was  no 
time  to  erect  furnaces.  Cakes  were  therefore 
hastily  made,  and  baked  on  the  coals,  and  for 
two  days  the  troops  were  supplied  in  this  irregu- 
lar way. 

King  Ferdinand  felt,  too  late,  the  insecurity 
of  his  position,  and  endeavored  to  provide  a tem- 
porary remedy.  There  was  a height  near  the 
city,  called  by  the  Moors  Santo  Albohacen,  which 
was  in  front  of  the  bridge.  He  ordered  several 
of  his  most  valiant  cavaliers  to  take  possession 
of  this  height,  and  to  hold  it  as  a check  upon  the 
enemy  and  a protection  to  the  camp.  The  cava- 
liers chosen  for  this  distinguished  and  perilous 
post  were  the  Marques  of  Cadiz,  the  Marques  of 
Villena,  Don  Roderigo  Tellez  Giron,  master  of 
Calatrava,  his  brother  the  Count  of  Urena,  and 
Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar.  These  valiant  warriors 
and  tried  companions  in  arms  led  their  troops  with 
alacrity  to  the  height,  which  soon  glittered  with 
the  array  of  arms,  and  was  graced  by  several  of 
the  most  redoubtable  pennons  of  warlike  Spain. 

Loxa  was  commanded  at  this  time  by  an  old 
Moorish  alcayde,  whose  daughter  was  the  favorite 
wife  of  Boabdil.  The  name  of  this  Moor  was 


/ 


68  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

Ibrahim  Ali  Atar,  but  he  was  generally  known 
among  the  Spaniards  as  Alatar.  He  had  grown 
gray  in  border  warfare,  was  an  implacable  enemy 
of  the  Christians,  and  his  name  had  long  been 
the  terror  of  the  frontier.  Lord  of  Zagra,  and 
in  the  receipt  of  rich  l evenues,  he  expended  them 
all  in  paying  scouts  and  spies,  and  maintaining  a 
small  but  chosen  force  with  which  to  foray  into 
the  Christian  territories ; and  so  straitened  was 
he  at  times  by  these  warlike  expenses,  that  when 
his  daughter  married  Boabdil,  her  bridal  dress 
and  jewels  had  to  be  borrowed.  He  was  now  in 
the  ninetieth  year  of  his  age,  yet  indomitable  in 
spirit,  fiery  in  his  passions,  sinewy  and  powerful 
in  frame,  deeply  versed  in  warlike  stratagem,  and 
accounted  the  best  lance  in  all  Mauritania.  He 
had  three  thousand  horsemen  under  his  command, 
veteran  troops,  with  whom  he  had  often  scoured 
the  borders ; and  he  daily  expected  the  old  Moor- 
ish king  with  reinforcements. 

Old  Ali  Atar  had  watched  from  his  fortress 
every  movement  of  the  Christian  army,  and  had 
exulted  in  all  the  errors  of  its  commanders  : when 
he  beheld  the  flower  of  Spanish  chivalry,  glitter- 
ing about  the  height  of  Albohacen,  his  eye  flashed 
with  exultation.  “ By  the  aid  of  Allah,”  said  he 
I will  give  those  pranking  cavaliers  a rouse.” 

Ali  Atar,  privately  and  by  night,  sent  forth  a 
large  body  of  his  chosen  troops,  to  lie  in  ambush 
near  one  of  the  skirts  of  Albohacen.  On  the 
fourth  day  of  the  siege  he  sallied  across  the 
bridge,  and  made  a feint  attack  upon  the  height. 
The  cavaliers  rushed  impetuously  fbi  th  to  meet 


TEE  BLOODY  FIGHT  OF  ALBOEACEN.  69 


him,  leaving  their  encampment  almost  unpro- 
tected. Ali  Atar  wheeled  and  fled,  and  was  hotly 
pursued.  When  the  Christian  cavaliers  had  been 
drawn  a considerable  distance  from  their  encamp- 
ment, they  heard  a vast  shout  behind  them,  and, 
looking  round,  beheld  their  encampment  assailed 
by  the  Moorish  force  which  had  been  placed  in 
ambush,  and  which  had  ascended  a different  side 
of  the  hill.  The  cavaliers  desisted  from  the 
pursuit,  and  hastened  to  prevent  the  plunder  of 
their  tents.  Ali  Atar,  in  his  turn,  wheeled  and 
pursued  them ; and  they  were  attacked  in  front 
and  rear  on  the  summit  of  the  hill.  The  contest 
lasted  for  an  hour ; the  height  of  Albohacen  was 
red  with  blood  ; many  brave  cavaliers  fell,  expir- 
ing among  heaps  of  the  enemy.  The  fierce  Ali 
fought  with  the  fury  of  a demon,  until  the  arrival 
of  more  Christian  forces  compelled  him  to  retreat 
into  the  city.  The  severest  loss  to  the  Chris- 
tians, in  this  skirmish,  was  that  of  Roderigo  Tel- 
lez Giron,  grand  master  of  Calatrava,  whose 
burnished  armor,  emblazoned  with  the  red  cross 
of  his  order,  made  him  a mark  fcfr  the  missiles 
of  the  enemy.  As  he  was  raising  his  arm  to 
make  a blow,  an  arrow  pierced  him,  just  beneath 
the  shoulder,  at  the  open  part  of  the  corselet. 
The  lance  and  bridle  fell  from  his  hands,  he  fal- 
tered in  his  saddle,  and  would  have  fallen  to  the 
ground,  but  was  caught  by  Pedro  Gasca,  a cava- 
lier of  Avila,  who  conveyed  him  to  his  tent, 
where  he  died.  The  king  and  queen,  and  the 
whole  kingdom,  mourned  his  death,  for  he  was  in 
the  freshness  of  his  youth,  being  but  twenty-four 


70 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


years  of  a^e,  and  had  proved  himself  a gallant 
and  high-minded  cavalier.  A melancholy  group 
collected  about  his  corse,  on  the  bloody  height  of 
Albohacen ; the  knights  of  Calatrava  mourned 
him  as  a commander ; the  cavaliers  who  were 
encamped  on  the  height  lamented  him  as  their 
companion  in  arms,  in  a service  of  peril ; while 
the  Count  de  Urena  grieved  over  him  with  the 
tender  affection  of  a brother. 

King  Ferdinand  now  perceived  the  wisdom  of 
the  opinion  of  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  and  that 
his  force  was  quite  insufficient  for  the  enterprise. 
To  continue  his  camp  in  its  present  unfortunate 
position  would  cost  him  the  lives  of  his  bravest 
cavaliers,  if  not  a total  defeat,  in  case  of  rein- 
forcements to  the  enemy.  He  called  a council 
of  war,  late  in  the  evening  of  Saturday ; and  it 
was  determined  to  withdraw  the  army,  early  the 
next  morning,  to  Rio  Frio,  a short  distance  from 
the  city,  and  there  wait  for  additional  troops  from 
Cordova. 

The  next  morning,  early,  the  cavaliers  on  the 
height  of  Albohacen  began  to  strike  their  tents. 
No  sooner  did  Ali  Atar  behold  this,  than  he  sal- 
lied forth  to  attack  them.  Many  of  the  Christian 
troops,  who  had  not  heard  of  the  intention  to 
change  the  camp,  seeing  the  tents  stitck  and  the 
Moors  sallying  forth,  supposed  that  the  enemy 
had  been  reinforced  in  the  night,  and  that  the 
army  was  on  the  point  of  retreating.  Without 
stopping  to  ascertain  the  truth  or  to  receive  or- 
ders, they  fled  in  dismay,  spreading  confusion 
through  the  camp ; nor  did  they  halt  until  they 


WITHDRAWAL  FROM  LOXA. 


71 


bad  reached  the  Rock  of  the  Lovers,  about  seven 
leagues  from  Loxa.^ 

The  king  and  his  commanders  saw  the  immi- 
nent peril  of  the  moment,  and  made  face  to  the 
Moors,  each  commander  guarding  his  quarter  and 
repelling  all  assaults,  while  the  tents  were  struck 
and  the  artillery  and  ammunition  conveyed  away. 
The  king,  with  a handful  of  cavaliers,  galloped 
to  a rising  ground,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  calling  upon  the  flying  troops  and  endea- 
voring in  vain  to  rally  them.  Setting  upon  the 
Moors,  he  and  his  cavaliers  charged  them  so 
vigorously,  that  they  put  a squadron  to  flight, 
slaying  many  with  their  swords  and  lances,  and 
driving  others  into  the  river,  where  they  were 
drowned.  The  Moors,  however,  were  soon  rein- 
forced, and  returned  in  great  numbers.  The  king 
was  in  danger  of  being  surrounded,  and  twice 
owed  his  safety  to  the  valor  of  Don  Juan  de  Ri- 
bera, Senior  of  Montemayor. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  beheld,  from  a distance, 
the  peril  of  his  sovereign.  Summoning  about 
seventy  horsemen  to  follow  him,  he  galloped  to 
the  spot,  threw  himself  between  the  king  and  the 
enemy,  and,  hurling  his  lance,  transpierced  one  of 
the  most  daring  of  the  Moors.  For  some  time 
he  remained  with  no  other  weapon  than  his 
sword ; his  horse  was  wounded  by  an  arrow,  and 
many  of  his  followers  w^ere  slain ; but  he  suc- 
ceeded in  beating  off  the  Moors,  and  rescuing  the 
king  from  imminent  jeopardy,  whom  he  then  pre- 
vailed upon  to  retire  to  less  dangerous  ground. 

1 Pulgar,  Cronica. 


/ 


72  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

The  marques  continued,  throughout  the  day 
to  expose  himself  to  the  repeated  assaults  of  the 
enemy  ; he  was  ever  found  in  the  place  of  the 
greatest  danger,  and  through  his  bravery  a great 
part  of  the  army  and  camp  was  preserved  from 
destruction.^ 

It  was  a perilous  day  for  the  commanders  ; for 
in  a retreat  of  the  kind,  it  is  the  noblest  cavaliers 
who  most  expose  themselves  to  save  their  people. 
The  duke  of  Medina  Celi  was  struck  to  the 
ground,  but  rescued  by  his  troops.  The  count  de 
Tendilla,  whose  tents  were  nearest  to  the  city, 
received  several  wounds,  and  various  other  cava- 
liers of  the  most  distinguished  note  were  exposed 
to  fearful  jeopardy.  The  whole  day  was  passed 
in  bloody  skirmishings,  in  which  the  hidalgos  and 
cavaliers  of  the  royal  household  distinguished 
themselves  by  their  bravery  ; at  length,  the  en- 
campments being  all  broken  up,  and  most  of  the 
artillery  and  baggage  removed,  the  bloody  height 
of  Albohacen  was  abandoned,  and  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Loxa  evacuated.  Several  tents,  a quan- 
tity of  provisions,  and  a few  pieces  of  artillery, 
were  left  upon  the  spot,  from  the  want  of  horses 
and  mules  to  carry  them  off. 

Ali  Atar  hung  upon  the  rear  of  the  retiring 
army,  and  harassed  it  until  it  reached  Rio  Frio. 
Ferdinand  returned  thence  to  Cordova,  deeply 
mortified  though  greatly  benefited  by  the  severe 
lesson  he  had  received,  which  served  to  render 
him  more  cautious  in  his  campaigns  and  more  dif- 
fident of  fortune.  He  sent  letters  to  ail  parts, 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  c.  58. 


FERDINAND'S  EXCUSE, 


73 


excusing  his  retreat,  imputing  it  to  the  small 
number  of  his  forces,  and  the  circumstance  that 
many  of  them  were  quotas  sent  from  various 
cities,  and  not  in  royal  pay  ; in  the  mean  time,  to 
console  his  troops  for  their  disappointment,  and  to 
keep  up  their  spirits,  he  led  them  upon  another 
inroad  to  lay  waste  the  vega  of  Granada. 


CHAPTER  XL 

How  Muley  Abul  Hassan  made  a Foray  into  the  Lands  of 
Medina  Sidonia,  and  how  he  was  received. 

aULEY  ABUL  HASSAN  had  mus- 
tered an  army,  and  marched  to  the  re- 
! lief  of  Loxa  ; but  arrived  too  late  — the 
last  squadron  of  Ferdinand  had  already  passed 
over  the  border.  “ They  have  come  and  gone,” 
said  he,  “ like  a summer  cloud,  and  all  their 
vaunting  has  been  mere  empty  thunder.”  Fie 
turned  to  make  another  attempt  upon  Alhama, 
the  garrison  of  which  was  in  the  utmost  conster- 
nation at  the  retreat  of  Ferdinand,  and  would 
have  deserted  the  place,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
courage  and  perseverance  of  the  alcayde,  Luis 
Fernandez  Puerto  Carrero.  That  brave  and 
loyal  commander  cheered  up  the  spirits  of  his 
men,  and  kept  the  old  Moorish  king  at  bay,  until 
the  approach  of  Ferdinand,  on  his  second  incur- 
sion into  the  vega,  obliged  him  to  make  an  unwil- 
ling retreat  to  Malaga. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  felt  that  it  would  be  in 
vain,  with  his  inferior  force,  to  oppose  the  power- 
ful army  of  the  Christian  monarch  ; but  to  remain 
idle  and  see  his  territories  laid  waste,  would  ruin 
him  in  the  estimation  of  his  people.  If  we  can- 
not parry,”  said  he,  “ we  can  strike  ; if  we  can- 


FORAY  OF  MULEY  ABUL  EASSAN.  76 


not  keep  our  own  lands  from  being  ravaged,  we  can 
ravage  the  lands  of  the  enemy/’  He  inquired 
and  learned  that  most  of  the  chivalry  of  Andalu- 
sia, in  their  eagerness  for  a foray,  had  marched 
off  with  the  king,  and  left  their  own  country  al- 
most defenseless.  The  territories  of  the  duke  of 
Medina  Sidonia  were  particularly  unguarded : 
here  were  vast  plains  of  pasturage,  covered  with  . 
flocks  and  herds  — the  very  country  for  a hasty 
inroad.  The  old  monarch  had  a bitter  grudge 
against  the  duke  for  having  foiled  him  at  Al- 
hama.  I’ll  give  this  cavalier  a lesson,  ” said 
he,  exultingly,  ‘‘  that  will  cure  him  of  his  love  of 
campaigning.”  So  he  prepared  in  all  haste  for  a 
foray  into  the  country  about  Medina  Sidonia. 

Muley  Abut  Hassan  sallied  out  of  Malaga  with 
fifteen  hundred  horse  and  six  thousand  foot,  and 
took  the  way  by  the  sea-coast,  marching  through 
Estiponia,  and  entering  the  Christian  country  be- 
tween Gibraltar  and  Castellar.  The  only  person 
that  was  likely  to  molest  him  on  this  route,  was 
one  Pedro  de  Vargas,  a shrewd,  hardy,  and  vigi- 
lant soldier,  alcayde  of  Gibraltar,  and  who  lay  en- 
sconced in  his  old  warrior  rock  as  in  a citadel. 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  knew  the  watchful  and  dar- 
ing character  of  the  man,  but  had  ascertained 
that  his  garrison  was  too  small  to  enable  him  to 
make  a sally,  or  at  least  to  insure  him  any  suc- 
cess. Still  he  pursued  his  march  with  great  si- 
lence and  caution  ; sent  parties  in  advance,  to  ex- 
plore every  pass  where  a foe  might  lie  in  ambush  ; 
cast  many  an  anxious  eye  towards  the  old  rock  of 
Gibraltar,  as  its  cloud-capped  summit  was  seen 


/ 


76  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

towering  in  the  distance  on  his  left,  nor  did  he 
feel  entirely  at  ease,  until  he  had  passed  through 
the  broken  and  mountainous  country  of  Castel- 
lar,  and  descended  into  the  plains.  Here  he  en- 
camped on  the  banks  of  the  Celemin,  and  sent 
four  hundred  corredors,  or  fleet  horsemen,  armed 
with  lances,  to  station  themselves  near  Algeziras, 
and  keep  a strict  watch  across  the  bay,  upon  the 
opposite  fortress  of  Gibraltar.  If  the  alcayde 
attempted  to  sally  forth,  they  were  to  waylay  and 
attack  him,  being  almost  four  times  his  supposed 
force ; and  were  to  send  swift  tidings  to  the  camp. 
In  the  mean  time,  two  hundred  corredors  were 
sent  to  scour  that  vast  plain  called  the  Campina 
de  Tarifa,  abounding  with  flocks  and  herds  ; and 
two  hundred  more  were  to  ravage  the  lands  about 
Medina  Sidonia.  Muley  Abul  Hassan  remained 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army,  as  a rallying 
point,  on  the  banks  of  the  Celemin. 

The  foraging  parties  scoured  the  country  to 
such  effect,  that  they  came  driving  vast  flocks  and 
herds  before  them,  enough  to  supply  the  place  of 
all  that  had  been  swept  from  the  vega  of  Granada. 
The  troops  which  had  kept  watch  upon  the  rock 
of  Gibraltar,  returned  with  word  that  they  had 
not  seen  a Christian  helmet  stirring.  The  old 
king  congratulated  himself  upon  the  secrecy  and 
promptness  with  which  he  had  conducted  his  foray, 
and  upon  having  baffled  the  vigilance  of  Pedro 
de  Yargas. 

He  had  not  been  so  secret,  however,  as  he 
imagined  ; the  watchfcl  alcayde  of  Gibraltar  had 
received  notice  of  his  movements ; but  his  garrison 


VIGILANCE  OF  PEDRO  DE  VARGAS.  77 


was  barely  sufficient  for  the  defense  of  his  post. 
Luckily  there  arrived  at  this  juncture  a squadron 
of  the  armed  galleys,  under  Carlos  de  Valera, 
recently  stationed  in  the  Straits.  Pedro  de 
Vargas  prevailed  upon  him  to  take  charge  of 
Gibraltar  during  his  temporary  absence,  and  forth- 
with sallied  out  at  midnight,  at  the  head  of  seventy 
chosen  horsemen.  By  his  command  alarm  fires 
were  lighted  on  the  mountains,  signals  that  the 
Moors  were  on  the  ravage,  at  sight  of  which  the 
peasants  were  accustomed  to  drive  their  flocks 
and  herds  to  places  of  refuge.  He  sent  couriers 
also  spurring  in  every  direction,  summoning  all 
capable  of  bearing  arms  to  meet  him  at  Castellar. 
This  was  a town  strongly  posted  on  a steep  height, 
by  which  the  Moorish  king  would  have  to  return. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  saw  by  the  fires  blazing 
on  the  mountains,  that  the  country  was  rising. 
He  struck  his  tents,  and  pushed  forward  as  rap- 
idly as  possible  for  the  border ; but  he  was  en- 
cumbered with  booty,  and  with  the  vast  cavalgada 
swept  from  the  pastures  of  the  Campina  de  Tarifa. 
-His  scouts  brought  him  word  that  there  were 
troops  in  the  field,  but  he  made  light  of  the  in- 
telligence, knowing  that  they  could  only  be  those 
of  the  alcayde  of  Gibraltar,  and  that  he  had  not 
more  than  a hundred  horsemen  in  his  garrison. 
He  threw  in  advance  two  hundred  and  fifty  of 
his  bravest  troops,  and  with  them  the  alcaydes  of 
Marabella  and  Casares.  Behind  this  vanguard 
followed  a great  cavalgada  of  cattle  ; and  in  the 
rear  marched  the  king,  with  the  main  force  of  his 
little  army. 


78 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


It  was  near  the  middle  of  a sultry  summer 
day,  when  they  approached  Castellar.  De  Vargas 
was  on  the  watch,  and  beheld,  by  an  immense 
cloud  of  dust,  that  they  were  descending  one  of 
the  heights  of  that  wild  and  broken  country. 
The  vanguard  and  rear- guard  were  above  half 
a league  asunder,  with  the  cavalgada  between 
them  ; and  a long  and  close  forest  hid  them  from 
each  other.  De  Vargas  saw  that  they  could 
render  but  little  assistance  to  each  other  in  case 
of  a sudden  attack,  and  might  be  easily  thrown 
into  confusion.  He  chose  fifty  of  his  bravest 
horsemen,  and,  making  a circuit,  took  his  post 
secretly  in  a narrow  glen  opening  into  a defile 
between  two  rocky  heights,  through  which  the 
Moors  had  to  pass.  It  was  his  intention  to  suffer 
the  van-guard  and  the  cavalgada  to  pass,  and  to 
fall  upon  the  rear. 

While  thus  lying  perdue,  six  Moorish  scouts, 
well  mounted  and  well  armed,  entered  the  glen, 
examining  every  place  that  might  conceal  an 
enemy.  Some  of  the  Christians  advised  that  they 
should  slay  these  six  men,  and  retreat  to  Gibraltar. 
“ No,”  said  De  Vargas,  “ I have  come  out  for 
higher  game  than  these ; and  I hope,  by  the  aid 
of  God  and  Santiago,  to  do  good  work  this  day. 
I know  these  Moors  well,  and  doubt  not  but  that 
they  may  readily  be  thrown  into  confusion.” 

By  this  time,  the  six  horsemen  approached  so 
near  that  they  were  on  the  point  of  discovering 
the  Christian  ambush.  De  Vargas  gave  the 
word,  and  ten  horsemen  rushed  upon  them  ; in  an 
instant,  four  of  the  Moors  rolled  in  the  dust;  the 


THE  MOORS  ENTRAPPED  BY  AMBUSH.  79 


other  two  put  spurs  to  their  steeds,  and  fled  to- 
wards their  army,  pursued  by  the  ten  Christians. 
About  eighty  of  the  Moorish  vanguard  came 
galloping  to  the  relief  of  their  companions ; the 
Christians  turned,  and  fled  towards  their  ambush. 
De  Vargas  kept  his  men  concealed,  until  the 
fugitives  and  their  pursuers  came  clattering  pell- 
mell  into  the  glen.  At  a signal  trumpet  his  men 
sallied  forth  with  great  heat  and  in  close  array. 
The  Moors  almost  rushed  upon  their  weapons, 
before  they  perceived  them ; forty  of  the  infidels 
were  overthrown,  the  rest  turned  their  backs. 
‘‘  Forward  ! ” cried  De  Vargas  ; “ let  us  give  the 
van-guard  a brush,  before  it  can  be  joined  by  the 
rear.’*  So  saying,  he  pursued  the  flying  Moors 
down  hill,  and  came  with  such  force  and  fury 
upon  the  advance  guard  as  to  overturn  many  of 
them  at  the  first  encounter.  As  he  wheeled  off 
with  his  men  tffe  Moors  discharged  their  lances ; 
upon  which  he  turned  to  the  charge,  and  made 
great  slaughter.  The  Moors  fought  valiantly  for 
a short  time,  until  the  alcaydes  of  Marabella  and 
Casares  were  slain,  when  they  gave  way  and  fled 
for  the  rear-guard.  In  their  flight,  they  passed 
through  the  cavalgada  of  cattle,  threw  the  whole 
in  confusion,  and  raised  such  a cloud  of  dust  that 
the  Christians  could  no  longer  distinguish  objects. 
Fearing  that  the  king  and  the  main  body  might 
be  at  hand,  and  finding  that  De  Vargas  was 
badly  wounded,  they  contented  themselves  with 
despoiling  the  slain  and  taking  about  twenty-eight 
horses,  and  then  retreated  to  Castellar. 

When  the  routed  Moors  came  flying  back  upon 


/ 


* 80  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

the  rear-guard.  Muley  Abul  Hassan  feared  that 
the  people  of  Xeres  were  in  arms.  Several  of 
his  followers  advised  him  to  abandon  the  cav- 
algada,  and  retreat  by  another  road.  “ No,”  said 
the  old  king,  ‘‘  he  is  no  true  soldier  who  gives  up 
his  booty  without  fighting.”  Putting  spurs  to 
his  horse,  he  galloped  forward  through  the  centre 
of  the  cavalgada,  driving  the  cattle  to  the  right 
and  left.  When  he  reached  the  field  of  battle, 
he  found  it  strewed  with  the  bodies  of  upwards 
of  one  hundred  Moors,  among  which  were  those  of 
the  two  alcaydes.  Enraged  at  the  sight,  he  sum- 
moned all  his  cross-bowmen  and  cavalry,  pushed 
on  to  the  very  gates  of  Castellar,  and  set  fire  to 
two  houses  close  to  the  walls.  Pedro  de  Vargas 
was  too  severely  wounded  to  sally  forth  in  person  ; 
but  he  ordered  out  his  troops,  and  there  was  brisk 
skirmishing  under  the  walls,  until  the  king  drew 
off  and  returned  to  the  scene  oP  the  recent  en- 
counter. Here  he  bad  the  bodies  of  the  principal 
warriors  laid  across  mules,  to  be  interred  honor- 
ably at  Malaga;  the  rest  of  the  slain  were  buried 
on  the  field  of  battle.  Then,  gathering  together 
the  scattered  cavalgada,  he  paraded  it  slowly,  in 
an  immense  line,  past  the  walls  of  Castellar,  by 
way  of  taunting  his  foe. 

With  all  his  fierceness,  old  Muley  Abul  Hassan 
had  a gleam  of  warlike  courtesy,  and  admired  the 
hardy  and  soldierlike  character  of  Pedro  de 
Vargas.  He  summoned  two  Christian  captives, 
and  demanded  what  were  the  revenues  of  the 
alcayde  of  Gibraltar.  They  told  him  that,  among 
other  things,  he  was  entitled  to  one  out  of  every 


MUTUAL  COURTESIES. 


81 


drove  of  cattle  that  passed  his  boundaries.  “ Allah 
forbid,”  cried  the  old  monarch,  “ that  so  brave  a 
cavalier  should  be  defrauded  of  his  dues.” 

He  immediately  chose  twelve  of  the  finest 
cattle,  from  the  twelve  droves  which  formed  the 
cavalgada.  These  he  gave  in  charge  to  an  al- 
faqui, to  deliver  to  Pedro  de  Vargas.  “ Tell 
him,”  said  he,  “ that  I crave  his  pardon  for  not 
having  sent  these  cattle  sooner  ; but  I have  this 
moment  learnt  the  nature  of  his  rights,  and  I 
hasten  to  satisfy  them,  with  the  punctuality  due  to 
so  worthy  a cavalier.  Tell  him,  at  the  same 
time,  that  I had  no  idea  the  alcayde  of  Gibraltar 
was  so  active  and  vigilant  in  collecting  his  tolls.” 
The  brave  alcayde  relished  the  stern  soldier- 
like pleasantry  of  the  old  Moorish  monarch. 
He  ordered  a rich  silken  vest,  and  a scarlet 
mantle,  to  be  given  to  the  alfaqui,  and  dismissed 
him  with  great  courtesy.  “ Tell  his  majesty,” 
said  he,  “ that  I kiss  his  hands  for  the  honor  he 
has  done  me,  and  regret  that  my  scanty  force  has 
not  permitted  me  to  give  him  a more  signal  re- 
ception, on  his  coming  into  these  parts.  Had 
three  hundred  horsemen,  whom  1 have  been  prom- 
ised from  Xeres,  arrived  in  time,  I might  have 
served  up  an  entertainment  more  befitting  such  a 
monarch.  I trust,  however,  they  will  arrive  in 
the  course  of  the  night,  in  which  case  his  majesty 
may  be  sure  of  a royal  regale  in  the  dawning.” 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  shook  his  head,  when  he 
received  the  reply  of  De  Vargas.  “ Allah  pre- 
serve us,”  said  he,  “ from  any  visitation  of  these 
hard  riders  of  Xeres!  a handful  of  troops,  ac- 
6 


/ 


82  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

quainted  with  the  wild  passes  of  these  mountains, 
may  destroy  an  army  encumbered  as  ours  is  with 
booty.” 

It  was  some  relief  to  the  king,  however,  to  learn 
that  the  hardy  alcayde  of  Gibraltar  was  too  se- 
verely wounded  to  take  the  field  in  person.  He 
immediately  beat  a retreat,  with  all  speed,  before 
the  close  of  the  day,  hurrying  with  such  precipita- 
tion, that  the  cavalgada  was  frequently  broken, 
and  scattered  among  the  rugged  defiles  of  the 
mountains ; and  above  five  thousand  of  the  cattle 
turned  back,  and  were  regained  by  the  Christians. 
Muley  Abut  Hassan  returned  triumphantly  with 
the  residue  to  Malaga,  glorying  in  the  spoils  of 
the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia. 

King  Ferdinand  was  mortified  at  finding  his 
incursion  into  the  vega  of  Granada  counterbal- 
anced by  this  inroad  into  his  dominions,  and  saw 
that  there  were  two  sides  to  the  game  of  war,  as 
to  all  other  games.  The  only  one  who  reaped 
real  glory,  in  this  series  of  inroads  and  skirmish- 
ings, was  Pedro  de  Vargas,  the  stout  alcayde  of 
Gibraltar.  ^ 

1 Alonzo  de  Palencia  lib.  28,  c.  3,  MS. 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

Foray  of  Spanish  Cavaliers  among  the  Mountains  of  Malaga. 

HE  foray  of  old  Muley  Abul  Hassan  had 
touched  the  pride  of  the  Andalusian 
chivalry,  and  they  determined  on  retal- 
iation. For  this  purpose,  a number  of  the  most 
distinguished  cavaliers  assembled  at  Antiquera, 
in  the  month  of  March,  1483.  The  leaders  of 
the  enterprise  were,  the  gallant  marques  of  Cadiz  ; 
Don  Pedro  Henriquez,  adelantado  of  Andalusia; 
Don  Juan  de  Silva,  count  of  Cifuentes,  and  bearer 
of  the  royal  standard,  who  commanded  in  Seville  ; 
Don  Alonzo  de  Cardenas,  master  of  the  religious 
and  military  order  of  Santiago ; and  Don  Alonzo 
de  Aguilar.  Several  other  cavaliers  of  note 
hastened  to  take  part  in  the  enterprise  ; and  in  a 
little  while,  about  twenty -seven  hundred  horse, 
and  several  companies  of  foot,  were  assembled 
within  the  old  warlike  city  of  Antiquera,  compris- 
ing the  very  flower  of  Andalusian  chivalry, 

A council  of  war  was  held  by  the  chiefs,  to  de- 
termine in  what  quarter  they  should  strike  a blow. 
The  rival  Moorish  kings  were  waging  civil  war 
with  each  other,  in  the  vicinity  of  Granada : and 
the  whole  country  lay  open  to  inroads.  Various 
plans  were  proposed  by  the  diflerent  cavaliers. 


/ 


84  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  was  desirous  of  scaling 
the  walls  of  Zahara,  and  regaining  possession  of 
that  important  fortress.  The  master  of  Santiago, 
however,  suggested  a wider  range  and  a still  more 
important  object.  He  had  received  information 
from  his  adalides,  who  were  apostate  Moors,  that 
an  incursion  might  be  safely  made  into  a moun- 
tainous region  near  Malaga,  called  the  Axarquia. 
Here  were  valleys  of  pasture  land,  well  stocked 
with  flocks  and  herds ; and  there  were  numerous 
villages  and  hamlets,  which  would  be  an  easy  prey. 
The  city  of  Malaga  was  too  weakly  garrisoned, 
and  had  too  few  cavalry,  to  send  forth  any  force 
in  opposition ; nay,  he  added,  they  might  even  ex- 
tend their  ravages  to  its  very  gates,  and  perad- 
venture  carry  that  wealthy  place  by  sudden  as- 
sault. 

The  adventurous  spirits  of  the  cavaliers  were 
inflamed  by  this  suggestion ; in  their  sanguine 
confidence,  they  already  beheld  Malaga  in  their 
power,  and  they  were  eager  for  the  enterprise. 
The  marques  of  Cadiz  endeavored  to  interpose  a 
little  cool  caution.  He  likewise  had  apostate  ad- 
alides, the  most  intelligent  and  experienced  on  the 
borders ; among  these,  he  placed  especial  reliance 
on  one  named  Luis  Amar,  who  knew  all  the 
mountains  and  valleys  of  the  country.  He  had 
received  from  him  a particular  account  of  these 
mountains  of  the  Axarquia.^  Their  savage  and 

1 Pulgar,  in  his  Chronicle,  reverses  the  case,  and  makes  the 
marques  of  Cadiz  recommend  the  expedition  to  the  Axar- 
quia; but  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  is  supported  in  his  state- 
ment by  that  most  veracious  and  contemporary  chronicler, 
Andres  Bernaldes,  curate  of  Los  Palacios. 


FORAY  OF  SPANISH  CAVALIERS,  85 


broken  nature  was  a sufficient  defense  for  the  fierce 
people  who  inhabited  them,  who,  manning  their 
rocks,  and  their  tremendous  passes,  which  were 
often  nothing  more  than  the  deep  dry  beds  of  tor- 
rents, might  set  whole  armies  at  defiance.  Even 
if  vanquished,  they  afforded  no  spoil  to  the  victor. 
Their  houses  were  little  better  than  bare  walls, 
and  they  would  drive  off  their  scanty  flocks  and 
herds  to  the  fastnesses  of  the  mountains. 

The  sober  counsel  of  the  marques,  however,  was 
overruled.  The  cavaliers,  accustomed  to  mountain 
warfare,  considered  themselves  and  their  horses 
equal  to  any  wild  and  rugged  expedition,  and 
were  flushed  with  the  idea  of  terminating  their 
foray  by  a brilliant  assault  upon  Malaga. 

Leaving  all  heavy  baggage  at  Antiquera,  and 
all  such  as  had  horses  too  weak  for  this  mountain 
scramble,  they  set  forth,  full  of  spirit  and  confi- 
dence. Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  and  the  adelan- 
tado  of  Andalusia,  led  the  squadron  of  advance. 
The  count  of  Cifuentes  followed,  with  certain  of 
the  chivalry  of  Seville.  Then  came  the  bat- 
talion of  the  most  valiant  Roderigo  Ponce  de 
Leon,  marques  of  Cadiz  ; he  was  accompanied  by 
several  of  his  brothers  and  nephews,  and  many 
cavaliers,  who  sought  distinction  under  his  ban- 
ner ; and  this  family  band  attracted  universal  at- 
tention and  applause,  as  they  paraded  in  martial 
state  through  the  streets  of  Antiquera.  The  rear- 
guard was  led  by  Don  Alonzo  Cardenas,  master 
of  Santiago,  and  was  composed  of  the  knights  of 
his  order,  and  the  cavaliers  of  Ecija,  with  certain 
men-at-arms  of  the  Holy  Brotherhood,  whom  the 


/ 


86  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

king  had  placed  under  his  command.  The  army 
was  attended  by  a great  train  of  mules,  laden 
with  provisions  for  a few  day’s  supply,  until  they 
should  be  able  to  forage  among  the  Moorish  vil- 
lages. Never  did  a more  gallant  and  self-confi- 
dent little  army  tread  the  earth.  It  was  composed 
of  men  full  of  health  and  vigor,  to  whom  war  was 
a pastime  and  delight.  They  had  spared  no  ex- 
pense in  their  equipments,  for  never  was  the  pomp 
of  war  carried  to  a higher  pitch  than  among  the 
proud  chivalry  of  Spain.  Cased  in  armor  richly 
inlaid  and  embossed,  with  rich  surcoats  and  wav- 
ing plumes,  and  superbly  mounted  on  Andalusian 
steeds,  they  pranced  out  of  Antiquera  with  ban- 
ners flying,  and  their  various  devices  and  armo- 
rial bearings  ostentatiously  displayed  ; and  in  the 
confidence  of  their  hopes,  promised  the  inhabitants 
to  enrich  them  with  the  spoils  of  Malaga. 

In  the  rear  of  this  warlike  pageant  followed 
a peaceful  band,  intent  on  profiting  by  the  antici- 
pated victories.  They  were  not  the  customary 
wretches  that  hover  about  armies  to  plunder  and 
strip  the  dead,  but  goodly  and  substantial  traders 
from  Seville,  Cordova,  and  other  cities  of  trafiic. 
They  rode  sleek  mules,  and  were  clad  in  goodly 
raiment,  with  long  leather  purses  at  their  girdles, 
well  filled  with  pistoles  and  other  golden  coin. 
They  had  heard  of  the  spoils  wasted  by  the  sol- 
diery at  the  capture  of  Alhama,  and  were  pro- 
vided with  moneys  to  buy  up  the  jewels  and  pre- 
cious stones,  the  vessels  of  gold  and  silver,  and  the 
rich  silks  and  cloths,  that  should  form  the  plun- 
der of  Malaga.  The  proud  cavaliers  eyed  these 


EL  ZAGAL. 


87 


sons  of  traffic  with  great  disdain,  but  permitted 
them  to  follow  for  the  convenience  of  the  troops, 
who  might  otherwise  be  overburdened  with  booty. 

It  had  been  intended  to  conduct  this  expedition 
with  great  celerity  and  secrecy  ; but  the  noise  of 
their  preparations  had  already  reached  the  city 
of  Malaga.  The  garrison,  it  is  true,  was  weak  ; 
but  it  possessed  a commander  who  was  himself  a 
host.  This  was  Muley  Abdallah,  commonly 
called  El  Zagal,  or  the  Valiant.  He  was  younger 
brother  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  and  general  of 
the  few  forces  which  remained  faithful  to  the  old 
monarch.  He  possessed  equal  fierceness  of  spirit 
with  his  brother,  and  surpassed  him  in  craft  and 
vigilance.  His  very  name  was  a war-cry  among 
his  soldiery,  who  had  the  most  extravagant  opin- 
ion of  his  prowess. 

El  Zagal  suspected  that  Malaga  was  the  object 
of  this  noisy  expedition.  He  consulted  with  old 
Bexir,  a veteran  Moor,  who  governed  the  city. 
‘‘  If  this  army  of  marauders  should  reach  Mal- 
aga,” said  he,  we  should  hardly  be  able  to  keep 
them  without  its  walls.  I will  throw  myself,  with 
a small  force,  into  the  mountains ; rouse  the  peas- 
antry, take  possession  of  the  passes,  and  endeavor 
to  give  these  Spanish  cavaliers  sufficient  enter- 
tainment upon  the  road.” 

It  was  on  a Wednesday,  that  the  pranking 
army  of  high-mettled  warriors  issued  forth  from 
the  ancient  gates  of  Antiquera.  They  marched 
all  day  and  night,  making  their  way,  secretly  as 
they  supposed,  through  the  passes  of  the  moun- 
tains. As  the  tract  of  country  they  intended  to 


88 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA 


maraud  was  far  in  the  Moorish  territories,  near 
the  coast  of  the  Mediterranean,  they  did  not 
arrive  there  until  late  in  the  following  day.  In 
passing  through  these  stern  and  lofty  mountains, 
their  path  was  often  along  the  bottom  of  a bar- 
ranco,  or  deep  rocky  valley,  with  a scanty  stream 
dashing  along  it,  among  the  loose  rocks  and  stones, 
which  it  had  broken  and  rolled  down,  in  the  time 
of  its  autumnal  violence.  Sometimes  their  road 
was  a mere  rambla,  or  dry  bed  of  a torrent,  cut 
deep  into  the  mountains,  and  filled  with  their 
shattered  fragments.  These  barrancos  and  ram- 
blas  were  overhung  by  immense  cliffs  and  preci- 
pices ; forming  the  lurking-places  of  ambuscades, 
during  the  wars  between  the  Moors  and  Span- 
iards, as  in  after  times  they  have  become  the  fa- 
vorite haunts  of  robbers  to  waylay  the  unfortu- 
nate traveller. 

As  the  sun  went  down,  the  cavaliers  came  to  a 
lofty  part  of  the  mountains,  commanding  to  the 
right  a distant  glimpse  of  a part  of  the  fair  vega 
of  Malaga,  with  the  blue  Mediterranean  beyond  ; 
and  they  hailed  it  with  exultation,  as  a glimpse 
of  the  promised  land.  As  the  night  closed  in, 
they  reached  the  chain  of  little  valleys  and  ham- 
lets, locked  up  among  these  rocky  heights,  and 
known  among  the  Moors  by  the  name  of  the 
Axarquia.  Here  their  vaunting  hopes  were  des- 
tined to  meet  with  the  first  disappointment.  The 
inhabitants  had  heard  of  their  approach ; they 
had  conveyed  away  their  cattle  and  effects,  and, 
with  their  wives  and  children,  had  taken  refuge 
in  the  towers  apd  fastnesses  of  the  mountains. 


AMONG  THE  MOUNTAINS. 


89 


Enraged  at  their  disappointment,  the  troops  set 
fire  to  the  deserted  houses,  and  pressed  forward, 
hoping  for  better  fortune  as  they  advanced.  Don 
Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  and  the  other  cavaliers  in  the 
van-guard,  spread  out  their  forces  to  lay  waste  the 
country ; capturing  a few  lingering  herds  of  cattle, 
with  the  Moorish  peasants  who  were  driving 
them  to  some  place  of  safety. 

While  this  marauding  party  carried  fire  and 
sword  in  the  advance,  and  lit  up  the  mountain 
cliffs  with  the  flames  of  the  hamlets,  the  master 
of  Santiago,  who  brought  up  the  rear-guard,  main- 
tained strict  order,  keeping  his  knights  together 
in  martial  array,  ready  for  attack  or  defense, 
should  an  enemy  appear.  The  men-at  arms  of 
the  Holy  Brotherhood  attempted  to  roam  in  quest 
of  booty  ; but  he  called  them  back,  and  rebuked 
them  severely. 

At  length  they  came  to  a part  of  the  mountain 
completely  broken  up  by  barrancos  and  ramblas, 
of  vast  depth,  and  shagged  with  rocks  and  preci- 
pices. It  was  impossible  to  maintain  the  order 
of  march  ; the  horses  had  no  room  for  action,  and 
were  scarcely  manageable,  having  to  scramble 
from  rock  to  rock,  and  up  and  down  frightful  de- 
clivities, where  there  there  was  scarce  footing  for 
a mountain  goat.  Passing  by  a burning  village, 
the  light  of  the  flames  revealed  their  perplexed 
situation.  The  Moors,  who  had  taken  refuge  in 
a watch-tower  on  an  impending  height,  shouted 
with  exultation,  when  they  looked  down  upon 
these  glistening  cavaliers  struggling  and  stum- 
bling among  the  rocks.  Sallying  forth  from  their 


/ 


90  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

tower,  they  took  possession  of  the  cliffs  which 
overhung  the  ravine,  and  hurled  darts  and  stones 
upon  the  enemy.  It  was  with  the  utmost  grief 
of  heart  that  the  good  master  of  Santiago  beheld 
his  brave  men  falling  like  helpless  victims  around 
him,  without  the  means  of  resistance  or  revenge. 
The  confusion  of  his  followers  was  increased  by 
the  shouts  of  the  Moors,  multiplied  by  the  echoes 
of  every  crag  and  cliff,  as  if  they  were  surrounded 
by  innumerable  foes.  Being  entirely  ignorant  of 
the  country,  in  their  struggles  to  extricate  them- 
selves they  plunged  into  other  glens  and  defiles, 
where  they  were  still  more  exposed  to  danger. 
In  this  extremity,  the  master  of  Santiago  dis- 
patched messengers  in  search  of  succor.  The 
marques  of  Cadiz,  like  a loyal  companion  in  arms, 
hastened  to  his  aid  with  his  cavalry ; his  approach 
cliecked  the  assaults  of  the  enemy,  and  the  mas- 
ter was  at  length  enabled  to  extricate  his  troops 
from  the  defile. 

In  the  mean-time,  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  and 
his  companions,  in  their  eager  advance,  had  like- 
wise got  entangled  in  deep  glens  and  the  dry 
beds  of  torrents,  where  they  had  been  severely 
galled  by  the  insulting  attacks  of  a handful  of 
Moorish  peasants  posted  on  the  impending  preci- 
pices. The  proud  spirit  of  De  Aguilar  was  in- 
censed at  having  the  game  of  war  thus  turned 
upon  him,  and  his  gallant  forces  domineered  over 
by  mountain  boors,  whom  he  had  thought  to 
drive,  like  their  own  cattle,  to  Antiquera.  Hear- 
ing, however,  that  his  friend  the  marques  of 
Cadiz,  and  the  master  of  Santiago,  were  engaged 


REPUL8E  OF  THE  CAVALIERS, 


91 


with  the  enemy,  he  disregarded  his  own  danger, 
and,  calling  together  his  troops,  returned  to  assist 
them,  or  rather  to  partake  their  perils.  Being 
once  more  together,  the  cavaliers  held  a hasty 
council,  amidst  the  hurling  of  stones  and  the 
whistling  of  arrows ; and  their  resolves  were 
quickened  by  the  sight,  from  time  to  time,  of 
some  gallant  companion  in  arms  laid  low.  They 
determined  that  there  was  no  spoil  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  to  repay  for  the  extraordinary 
peril ; and  that  it  was  better  to  abandon  the  herds 
they  had  already  taken,  which  only  embarrassed 
their  march,  and  to  retreat  with  all  speed  to  less 
dangerous  ground. 

The  adalides,  or  guides,  were  ordered  to  lead 
the  way  out  of  this  place  of  carnage.  These, 
thinking  to  conduct  them  by  the  most  secure 
route,  led  them  by  a steep  and  rocky  pass,  diffi- 
cult for  the  foot-soldiers,  but  almost  impracticable 
to  the  cavalry.  It  was  overhung  with  precipices, 
from  whence  showers  of  stones  and  arrows  were 
poured  upon  them,  accompanied  by  savage  yells, 
which  appalled  the  stoutest  heart.  In  some 
places,  they  could  pass  but  one  at  a time,  and 
were  often  transpierced,  horse  and  rider,  by  the 
Moorish  darts,  impeding  the  progress  of  their 
comrades  by  their*  dying  struggles.  The  sur- 
rounding precipices  were  lit  up  by  a thousand 
alarm-fires  ; every  crag  and  cliff  had  its  fiame, 
by  the  light  of  which  they  beheld  their  foes, 
bounding  from  rock  to  rock,  and  looking  more 
ike  fiends  than  mortal  men. 

Either  through  terror  and  confusion,  or  through 


92 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


real  ignorance  of  the  country,  their  guides,  io 
stead  of  conducting  them  out  of  the  mountains, 
led  them  deeper  into  their  fatal  recesses.  The 
morning  dawned  upon  them  in  a narrow  rambla, 
its  bottom  formed  of  broken  rocks,  where  once 
had  raved  along  the  mountain  torrent ; while 
above,  there  beetled  great  arid  cliffs,  over  the 
brows  of  which  they  beheld  the  turbaned  heads 
of  their  fierce  and  exulting  foes.  What  a differ- 
ent appearance  did  the  unfortunate  cavaliers  pre- 
sent, from  that  of  the  gallant  band  that  marched 
so  vauntingly  out  of  Antiquera ! Covered  with 
dust,  and  blood,  and  wounds,  and  haggard  with 
fatigue  and  horror,  they  looked  like  victims  rather 
than  like  warriors.  Many  of  their  banners  were 
lost,  and  not  a trumpet  was  heard  to  rally  up 
their  sinking  spirits.  The  men  turned  with  im- 
ploring eyes  to  their  commanders ; while  the 
hearts  of  the  cavaliers  were  ready  to  burst  with 
rage  and  grief  at  the  merciless  havoc  made  among 
their  faithful  followers. 

All  day  they  made  ineffectual  attempts  to  ex 
tricate  themselves  from  the  mountains.  Columns 
of  smoke  rose  from  the  heights,  where,  in  the 
preceding  night,  had  blazed  the  alarm-fire.  The 
mountaineers  assembled  from  every  direction ; 
they  swarmed  at  every  pass,*  getting  in  the  ad- 
vance of  the  Christians,  and  garrisoning  the  cliffs 
like  so  many  towers  and  battlements. 

Night  closed  again  upon  the  Christians,  when 
they  were  shut  up  in  a narrow  valley  traversed 
by  a deep  stream,  and  surrounded  by  precipices 
which  seemed  to  reach  the  skies,  and  on  which 


SCALING  THE  MOUNTAIN. 


93 


blazed  and  flared  the  alarm-fires.  Suddenly  a 
new  cry  was  heard  resounding  along  the  valley: 
“ El  Zagal ! El  Zagal ! ” echoed  from  clifi‘  to 
cliff.  “ What  cry  is  that  ? ” said  the  master  of 
Santiago.  “ It  is  the  war-cry  of  El  Zagal,  the 
Moorish  general,”  said  an  old  Castilian  soldier : 
he  must  be  coming  in  person,  with  the  troops 
of  Malaga.” 

The  worthy  master  turned  to  his  knights : 
“ Let  us  die,”  said  he,  “ making  a road  with  our 
hearts,  since  we  cannot  with  our  swords.  Let  us 
scale  the  mountain,  and  sell  our  lives  dearly,  in- 
stead of  staying  here  to  be  tamely  butchered.” 

So  saying,  he  turned  his  steed  against  the 
mountain,  and  spurred  him  up  its  flinty  side. 
Horse  and  foot  followed  his  example,  eager,  if 
they  could  not  escape,  to  have  at  least  a dying 
blow  at  the  enemy.  As  they  struggled  up  the 
height,  a tremendous  storm  of  darts  and  stones 
was  showered  upon  them  by  the  Moors.  Some- 
times a fragment  of  rock  came  bounding  and 
thundering  down,  ploughing  its  way  through  the 
centre  of  their  host.  The  foot-soldiers,  faint  with 
weariness  and  hunger,  or  crippled  by  wounds, 
held  by  the  tails  and  manes  of  the  horses  to  aid 
them  in  their  ascent;  while  the  horses,  losing 
their  foothold  among  the  loose  stones,  or  receiving 
some  sudden  wound,  tumbled  down  the  steep  de- 
clivity, steed,  rider,  and  soldier,  rolling  from  crag 
to  crag  until  they  were  dashed  to  pieces  in  the 
valley.  In  this  desperate  struggle,  the  alferez  or 
standard-bearer  of  the  master,  with  his  standard, 
was  lost ; as  were  many  of  his  relations  and  his 


/ 


94  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

dearest  friends.  At  length  he  succeeded  in  at- 
taining the  crest  of  the  mountain  ; but  it  was 
only  to  be  plunged  in  new  difficulties.  A wilder- 
ness of  rocks  and  rugged  dells  lay  before  him, 
beset  by  cruel  foes.  Having  neither  banner  nor 
trumpet  by  which  to  rally  his  troops,  they  wan- 
dered apart,  each  intent  upon  saving  himself 
from  the  precipices  of  the  mountains,  and  the 
darts  of  the  enemy.  When  the  pious  master  of 
Santiago  beheld  the  scattered  fragments  of  his 
late  gallant  force,  he  could  not  restrain  his  grief. 
“ 0 God  ! ” exclaimed  he,  “ great  is  thine  anger 
this  day  against  thy  servants.  Thou  hast  con- 
verted the  cowardice  of  these  infidels  into  des- 
perate valor,  and  hast  made  peasants  and  boors 
victorious  over  armed  men  of  battle.” 

He  would  fain  have  kept  with  his  foot-soldiers, 
and,  gathering  them  together,  have  made  head 
against  the  enemy ; but  those  around  him  en- 
treated him  to  think  only  of  his  personal  safety. 
To  remain  was  to  perish,  without  striking  a blow ; 
to  escape  was  to  preserve  a life  that  might  be  de- 
voted to  vengeance  on  the  Moors.  The  master 
reluctantly  yielded  to  the  advice.  “ 0 Lord  of 
hosts ! ” exclaimed  he  again,  “ from  thy  wrath  do 
I fly  ; not  from  these  infidels : they  are  but  in- 
strutnents  in  thy  hands,  to  chastise  us  for  our 
sins.”  So  saying,  he  sent  the  guides  in  the  ad- 
vance, and  putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  dashed 
through  a defile  of  the  mountains  before  the 
Moors  could  intercept  him.  The  moment  the 
master  put  his  horse  to  speed,  his  troops  scattered 
in  all  directions.  Some  endeavored  to  follow  his 


DISPERSION  OF  TEE  CAVALIERS,  95 


traces,  but  were  confounded  among  the  intricacies 
of  the  mountain.  They  fled  hither  and  thither, 
many  perishing  among  the  precipices,  others  being 
slain  by  the  Moors,  and  others  taken  prisoners. 

The  gallant  marques  of  Cadiz,  guided  by  his 
trusty  adalid,  Luis  Amar,  had  ascended  a differ- 
ent part  of  the  mountain.  He  was  followed  by 
his  friend,  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  the  adelan- 
tado,  and  the  count  of  Cifuentes ; but,  in  the 
darkness  and  confusion,  the  bands  of  these  com- 
manders became  separated  from  each  other. 
When  the  marques  attained  the  summit,  he 
looked  around  for  his  companions  in  arms ; but 
they  were  no  longer  following  him,  and  there 
was  no  trumpet  to  summon  them.  It  was  a 
consolation  to  the  marques,  however,  that  his 
brothers  and  several  of  his  relations,  with  a num- 
ber of  his  retainers,  were  still  with  him ; he  called 
his  brothers  by  name,  and  their  replies  gave  com- 
fort to  his  heart. 

His  guide  now  led  the  way  into  another  val- 
ley, where  he  would  be  less  exposed  to  danger ; 
when  he  had  reached  the  bottom  of  it,  the  mar- 
ques paused  to  collect  his  scattered  followers,  and 
to  give  time  for  his  fellow-commanders  to  rejoin 
him.  Here  he  was  suddenly  assailed  by  the 
troops  of  El  Zagal,  aided  by  the  mountaineers 
from  the  cliffs.  The  Christians,  exhausted  and 
terrified,  lost  all  presence  of  mind  : most  of  them 
fled,  and  were  either  slain  or  taken  captive.  The 
marques  and  his  valiant  brothers,  with  a few 
tried  friends,  made  a stout  resistance.  His  horse 
was  killed  under  him ; his  brothers,  Don  Diego 


96 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


and  Don  Lope,  with  his  two  nephews,  Don  Lo- 
renzo and  Don  Manuel,  were  one  by  one  swept 
from  his  side,  either  transfixed  with  darts  and 
lances  by  the  soldiers  of  El  Zagal,  or  crushed  by 
stones  from  the  heights.  The  marques  was  a vet- 
eran warrior,  and  had  been  in  many  a bloody 
battle ; but  never  before  had  death  fallen  so  thick 
and  close  around  him.  When  he  saw  his  remain- 
ing brother,  Don  Beltram,  struck  out  of  his  saddle 
by  a fragment  of  a rock,  and  his  horse  running 
wildly  about  without  his  rider,  he  gave  a cry  of 
anguish,  and  stood  bewildered  and  aghast.  A 
few  faithful  followers  surrounded  him,  and  en- 
treated him  to  fly  for  his  life.  He  would  still 
have  remained,  to  have  shared  the  fortunes  of 
his  friend,  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  and  his  other 
companions  in  arms ; but  the  forces  of  El  Zagal 
were  between  him  and  them,  and  death  was 
whistling  by  on  every  wind.  Reluctantly,  there- 
fore, he  consented  to  fly.  Another  horse  was 
brought  him  : his  faithful  adalid  guided  him  by 
one  of  the  steepest  paths,  which  lasted  for  four 
leagues  ; the  enemy  still  hanging  on  his  traces, 
and  thinning  the  scanty  ranks  of  his  followers. 
At  length  the  marques  reached  the  extremity  of 
the  mountain  defiles,  and,  with  a haggard  rem- 
nant of  his  men,  escaped  by  dint  of  hoof  to  An- 
tiquera. 

The  count  of  Cifuentes,  with  a few  of  his  re- 
tainers, in  attempting  to  follow  the  marques  of 
Cadiz,  wandered  into  a narrow  pass,  where  they 
were  completely  surrounded  by  the  band  of  El 
Zagal.  The  count  himself  was  assailed  by  six 


DISASTROUS  END  OF  THE  FORAY,  97 


of  (he  enemy,  against  whom  he  was  defending 
himself  with  desperation,  when  their  leader, 
struck  with  the  inequality  of  the  fight,  ordered 
the  others  to  desist,  and  continued  the  combat 
alone.  The  count,  already  exhausted,  was  soon 
compelled  to  surrender;  his  brother,  Don  Pedro 
de  Silva,  and  the  few  of  his  retainers  who  sur- 
vived, were  likewise  taken  prisoners.  The  Moor- 
ish cavalier  who  had  manifested  such  a chivalric 
spirit  in  encountering  the  count  singly,  was  Pad- 
uan Vanegas,  brother  of  the  former  vizier  of 
Muley  Abul  Hassan,  and  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  faction  of  the  sultana  Zoraya. 

The  dawn  of  day  found  Don  Alonzo  de  Agui- 
lar, with  a handful  of  his  followers,  still  among 
the  mountains.  They  had  attempted  to  follow 
the  marques  of  Cadiz,  but  had  been  obliged  to 
pause  and  defend  themselves  against  the  thicken- 
ing forces  of  the  enemy.  They  at  length  trav- 
ersed the  mountain,  and  reached  the  same  valley 
where  the  marques  had  made  his  last  disastrous 
stand.  Wearied  and  perplexed,  they  sheltered 
themselves  in  a natural  grotto,  under  an  over- 
hanging rock,  which  kept  off  the  darts  of  the 
enemy  ; while  a bubbling  fountain  gave  them  the 
means  of  slaking  their  raging  thirst,  and  refresh- 
ing their  exhausted  steeds.  As  day  broke,  the 
scene  of  slaughter  unfolded  its  horrors.  There 
lay  the  noble  brothers  and  nephews  of  the  gal- 
lant marques,  transfixed  with  darts,  or  gashed  and 
bruised  with  unseemly  wounds  ; while  many  other 
gallant  cavaliers  lay  stretched  out  dead  and  dying 
around,  some  of  them  partly  stripped  and  plun- 


98 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


dered  by  the  Moors.  De  Aguilar  was  a pious 
knight,  but  his  piety  was  not  humble  and  resigned, 
like  that  of  the  worthy  master  of  Santiago.  He 
imprecated  holy  curses  upon  the  infidels  for  hav- 
ing thus  laid  low  the  flower  of  Christian  chiv- 
alry ; and  he  vowed  in  his  heart  bitter  vengeance 
upon  the  surrounding  country. 

By  degrees,  the  little  force  of  De  Aguilar  was 
augmented  by  numbers  of  fugitives,  who  issued 
from  caves  and  chasms,  where  they  had  taken 
refuge  in  the  night.  A little  band  of  mounted 
knights  was  gradually  formed  ; and  the  Moors 
having  abandoned  the  heights  to  collect  the  spoils 
of  the  slain,  this  gallant  but  forlorn  squadron 
was  enabled  to  retreat  to  Antiquera. 

This  disastrous  affair  lasted  from  Thursday 
evening,  throughout  Friday,  the  twenty -first  of 
March,  the  festival  of  St.  Benedict.  It  is  still 
recorded  in  Spanish  calendars  as  the  defeat  of 
the  mountains  of  Malaga ; and  the  spot  where 
the  greatest  slaughter  took  place  is  called  la 
Cuesta  de  la  Matanza.,  or  The  Hill  of  the  Mas- 
sacre. The  principal  leaders  who  survived  re- 
turned to  Antiquera.  Many  of  the  knights  took 
refuge  in  Alhama  and  other  towns ; many  wan- 
dered about  the  mountains  for  eight  days,  living 
on  roots  and  herbs,  hiding  themselves  during  the 
day,  and  sallying  forth  at  night.  So  enfeebled 
and  disheartened  were  they,  that  they  offered  no 
resistance  if  attacked.  Three  or  four  soldiers 
would  surrender  to  a Moorish  peasant ; and  even 
the  women  of  Malaga  sallied  forth  and  made 
prisoners.  Some  were  thrown  into  the  dungeons 


I 


TRIUMPH  OF  THE  MOORS.  99 

of  frontier  towns,  others  led  captive  to  Granada ; 
but  by  far  the  greater  number  were  conducted  to 
Malaga,  the  city  they  had  threatened  to  attack. 
Two  hundred  and  fifty  principal  cavaliers,  al- 
caydes,  commanders,  and  hidalgos,  of  generous 
blood,  were  confined  in  the  Alcazaba,  or  citadel 
of  Malaga,  to  await  their  ransom ; and  five  hun- 
dred and  seventy  of  the  common  soldiery  were 
crowded  in  an  inclosure  or  court-yard  of  the  Al- 
cazaba, to  be  sold  as  slaves.^ 

Great  spoils  were  collected  of  splendid  armor 
and  weapons  taken  from  the  slain,  or  thrown 
away  by  the  cavaliers  in  their  flight ; and  many 
horses,  magnificently  caparisoned,  together  with 
numerous  standards  — all  which  were  paraded  in 
triumph  in  the  Moorish  towns. 

The  merchants,  also,  who  had  come  with  the 
army,  intending  to  traffic  in  the  spoils  of  the 
Moors,  were  themselves  made  objects  of  traffic. 
Several  of  them  were  driven  like  cattle  before 
the  Moorish  viragos,  to  the  market  of  Malaga ; 
and  in  spite  of  all  their  adroitness  in  trade,  and 
their  attempts  to  buy  themselves  off  at  a cheap 
ransom,  they  were  unable  to  purchase  their  free- 
dom without  such  draughts  upon  their  money- 
bags at  home  as  drained  them  to  the  very  bottom* 


1 Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


/ 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Effects  of  the  Disasters  among  the  Mountains  of  Malaga 

HE  people  of  Antiqiiera  had  scarcely  re- 
covered from  the  tumult  of  excitement 
and  admiration,  caused  by  the  departure 
of  the  gallant  band  of  cavaliers  upon  their  foray, 
when  they  beheld  the  scattered  wrecks  flying  for 
refuge  to  their  walls.  Day  after  day,  and  hour 
after  hour,  brought  some  wretched  fugitive,  in 
whose  battered  plight,  and  haggard,  woebegone 
demeanor,  it  was  almost  impossible  to  recognize 
the  warrior  who  had  lately  issued  so  gayly  and 
gloriously  from  their  gates. 

The  arrival  of  tlie  marques  of  Cadiz,  almost 
alone,  covered  with  dust  and  blood,  his  armor 
shattered  and  defaced,  his  countenance  the  picture 
of  despair,  filled  every  heart  with  sorrow,  for  he 
was  greatly  beloved  by  the  people.  The  multi- 
tude asked  of  his  companions,  where  was  the  band 
of  brothers  which  had  rallied  round  him  as  he 
went  forth  to  the  field ; and  when  told  that  one 
by  one  they  had  been  slaughtered  at  his  side, 
they  hushed  their  voices,  or  spake  to  each  other 
only  in  whispers  as  he  passed,  gazing  at  him  in 
silent  sympathy.  No  one  attempted  to  console 
him  in  so  great  an  affliction,  nor  did  the  good 


EFFECTS  OF  THE  DISASTERS.  101 


marques  speak  ever  a word,  but,  shutting  himself 
up,  brooded  in  lonely  anguish  over  his  misfortune. 
It  was  only  the  arrival  of  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilaf 
that  gave  him  a gleam  of  consolation,  rejoicing  to 
find  that  amidst  the  shafts  of  death  which  had 
fallen  so  thickly  among  his  family  his  chosen 
friend  and  brother  in  arms  had  escaped  unin- 
jured. 

For  several  days  every  eye.  was  turned,  in 
fearful  suspense,  toward  the  Moorish  border, 
anxiously  looking,  in  every  fugitive  from . the 
mountains,  for  the  lineaments  of  some  friend  or 
relative,  whose  fate  was  yet  a mystery.  At 
length  every  hope  and  doubt  subsided  into 
certainty  ; the  whole  extent  of  ^his  great  calamity 
was  known,  spreading  grief  and  consternation 
throughout  the  land,  and  laying  desolate  the  pride 
and  hopes  of  palaces.  It  was  a sorrow  that 
visited  the  marble  hall  and  silken  pillow.  Stately 
dames  mourned  over  the  loss  of  their  sons,  the 
joy  and  glory  of  their  age  ; and  many  a fair  cheek 
was  blanched  with  woe,  which  had  lately  mantled 
with  secret  admiration.  “ All  Andalusia,”  says  a 
historian  of  the  time,  “ was  overwhelmed  by  a 
great  affliction  ; there  was  no  drying  of  the  eyes 
which  wept  in  her.”  ^ 

Fear  and  trembling  reigned,  for  a time,  along 
the  frontier.  Their  spear  seemed  broken,  their 
buckler  cleft  in  twain  : every  border  town  dreaded 
an  attack,  and  the  mother  caught  her  infant  to 
h«r  bosom  when  the  watch-dog  howled  in  the 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


102 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


night,  fancying  it  the  war-cry  of  the  Moor.  All, 
for  a time,  seemed  lost ; and  despondency  even 
found  its  way  to  the  royal  breasts  of  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella,  amidst  the  splendors  of  their  court. 

Great,  on  the  other  hand,  was  the  joy  of  the 
Moors,  when  they  saw  whole  legions  of  Christian 
warriors  brought  captive  into  their  towns,  by  rude 
mountain  peasantry.  They  thought  it  the  work  of 
Allah  in  favor  of  the  faithful.  But  when  they 
recognized,  among  the  captives  thus  dejected  and 
broken  down,  some  of  the  proudest  of  Christian 
chivalry  ; when  they  saw  several  of  the  banners 
and  devices  of  the  noblest  houses  of  Spain,  which 
they  had  been  accustomed  to  behold  in  the  fore- 
most of  the  battle,  now  trailed  ignominiously 
through  their  streets  ; when,  in  short,  they  wit- 
nessed the  arrival  of  the  count  of  Cifuentes,  the 
royal  standard-bearer  of  Spain,  with  his  gallant 
brother  Don  Pedro  de  Silva,  brought  prisoners 
into  the  gates  of  Granada,  there  were  no  bounds 
to  their  exultation.  They  thought  that  the  days 
of  their  ancient  glory  were  about  to  return,  and 
that  they  were  to  renew  their  career  of  triumph 
over  the  unbelievers. 

The  Christian  historians  of  the  time  are  sorely 
perplexed  to  account  for  this  misfortune  ; and  why 
so  many  Christian  knights,  fighting  in  the  cause 
of  the  holy  faith,  should  thus  miraculously,  as  it 
were,  be  given  captive  to  a handful  of  infidel 
boors  ; for  we  are  assured,  that  all  this  rout  and 
destruction  was  effected  by  five  hundred  foot  and 
fifty  horse,  and  those  mere  mountaineers,  without 


CAUSES  OF  THE  DEFEAT, 


103 


science  or  discipline.^  “ It  was  intended,” 
observes  one  historiographer,  “ as  a lesson  to  their 
confidence  and  vainglory  ; overrating  their  own 
prowess  and  thinking  that  so  chosen  a band  of 
chivalry  had  but  to  appear  in  the  land  of  the 
enemy,  and  conquer.  It  was  to  teach  them  that 
the  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the 
strong,  but  that  God  alone  giveth  the  victory.” 
The  worthy  father  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
however,  asserts  it  to  be  a punishment  for  the 
avarice  of  the  Spanish  warriors.  They  did  not 
enter  the  kingdom  of  the  infidels  with  the  pure 
spirit  of  Christian  knights,  zealous  only  for  the 
glory  of  the  faith,  but  rather  as  greedy  men  of 
traffic,  to  enrich  themselves  by  vending  the  spoils 
of  the  infidels.  Instead  of  preparing  themselves 
by  confession  and  communion,  and  executing  their 
testaments,  and  making  donations  and  bequests  to 
churches  and  convents,  they  thought  only  of 
arranging  bargains  and  sales  of  their  anticipated 
booty.  Instead  of  taking  with  them  holy  monks 
to  aid  them  with  their  prayers,  they  were  followed 
by  a train  of  trading  men,  to  keep  alive  their 
worldly  and  sordid  ideas,  and  to  turn  what  ought 
to  be  holy  triumphs  into  scenes  of  brawling  traffic. 
Such  is  the  opinion  of  the  excellent  Agapida,  in 
which  he  is  joined  by  that  most  worthy  and  up- 
right of  chroniclers,  the  curate  of  Los  Palacios. 
Agapida  comforts  himself,  however,  with  the  re- 
flection, that  this  visitation  was  meant  in  mercy,  to 
try  the  Castilian  heart,  and  to  extract,  from  its 
present  humiliation,  the  elements  of  future  suc- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


/ 


104  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

cess,  as  gold  is  extracted  from  amidst  the  impuri- 
ties of  earth  ; and  in  this  reflection  he  is  supported 
by  the  venerable  historian  Pedro  Abarca,  of  the 
society  of  Jesuits.^ 

I Abarca.  Andies  de  Aragon^  Rey  30,  cap.  2,  § 3. 

t 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

How  King  Boabdil  el  Chico  marched  over  the  Border. 

HE  defeat  of  the  Christian  cavaliers 
among  the  mountains  of  Malaga,  and 
the  successful  inroad  of  Muley  Abul 
Hassaii  into  the  lands  of  Medina  Sidonia,  had 
produced  a favorable  effect  on  the  fortunes  of  the 
old  monarch.  The  inconstant  populace  began  to 
shout  forth  his  name  in  the  streets,  and  to  sneer 
at  the  inactivity  of  his  son  Boabdil  el  Chico, 
The  latter,  though  in  the  flower  of  his  age,  and 
distinguished  for  vigor  and  dexterity  in  jousts 
and  tournaments,  had  never  yet  fleshed  his  wea- 
pon in  the  field  of  battle;  and  it  was  murmured 
that  he  preferred  the  silken  repose  of  the  cool 
halls  of  the  Alhambra  to  the  fatigue  and  danger 
of  the  foray,  and  the  hard  encampments  of  the 
mountains. 

The  popularity  of  these  rival  kings  depended 
upon  their  success  against  the  Christians,  and 
Boabdil  el  Chico  found  it  necessary  to  strike 
some  signal  blow  to  counterbalance  the  late  tri- 
umph of  his  father.  He  was  further  incited  by 
his  father-in-law,  Ali  Atar,  alcayde  of  Loxa,  with 
whom  the  coals  of  wrath  against  the  Christians 
still  burned  among  the  ashes  of  age,  and  had 


106 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


lately  been  blown  into  a flame  by  the  attack  made 
by  Ferdinand  on  the  city  under  his  command. 

Ali  Atar  informed  Boabdil  that  the  late  dis- 
comfiture of  the  Christian  knights  had  stripped 
Andalusia  of  the  prime  of  her  chivalry,  and  bro- 
ken the  spirit  of  the  country.  All  the  frontier 
of  Cordova  and  Ecija  now  lay  open  to  inroad  ; 
but  he  especially  pointed  out  the  city  of  Lucena 
as  an  object  of  attack,  being  feebly  garrisoned, 
and  lying  in  a country  rich  in  pasturage,  abound- 
ing in  cattle  and  gr%in,  in  oil  and  wine.  The 
fiery  old  Moor  spoke  from  thorough  information ; 
for  he  had  made  many  an  incursion  into  these 
parts,  and  his  very  name  was  a terror  throughout 
the  country.  It  had  become  a by-word  in  the 
garrison  of  Loxa  to  call  Lucena  the  garden  of 
Ali  Atar,  for  he  was  accustomed  to  forage  its  fer- 
tile territories  for  all  his  supplies. 

Boabdil  el  Chico  listened  to  the  persuasions  of 
this  veteran  of  the  borders.  He  assembled  a 
force  of  nine  thousand  foot  and  seven  hundred 
horse,  most  of  them  his  own  adherents,  but  many 
the  partisans  of  his  father ; for  both  factions, 
however  they  might  fight  among  themselves,  were 
ready  to  unite  in  any  expedition  against  the 
Christians.  Many  of  the  most  illustrious  and 
valiant  of  the  Moorish  nobility  assembled  round 
his  standard,  magnificently  arrayed  in  sumptuous 
armor  and  rich  embroidery,  as  though  for  a fes- 
tival or  a tilt  of  canes,  rather  than  an  enterprise 
of  iron  war.  BoabdiFs  mother,  the  sultana  Ayxa 
la  Horra,  armed  him  for  the  field,  and  gave  him 
her  benediction  as  she  girded  his  scimetar  to  hia 


MARCH  OF  BOABDIL. 


107 


side.  His  favorite  wife  Morayma  wept,  as  she 
thousrht  of  the  evils  that  might  befall  him. 
‘‘Why  dost  thou  weep,  daughter  of  Ali  Atar?” 
said  the  high-minded  Ayxa : “ these  tears  become 
not  the  daughter  of  a warrior,  nor  the  wife  of  a 
king.  Believe  me,  there  lurks  more  danger  for 
a monarch  within  the  strong  walls  of  a palace 
than  within  the  frail  curtains  of  a tent.  It  is  by 
perils  in  the  field  that  thy  husband  must  purchase 
security  on  his  throne.” 

But  Morayma  still  hung  upon  his  neck,  with 
tears  and  sad  forebodings;  and  when  he  departed 
from  the  Alhambra,  she  betook  herself  to  her 
mirador,  overlooking  the  vega,  whence  she  watched 
the  army,  as  it  went,  in  shining  order,  along  the 
road  leading  to  Loxa ; and  every  burst  of  war- 
like melody  that  came  swelling  on  the  breeze  was 
answered  by  a gush  of  sorrow. 

As  the  royal  cavalcade  issued  from  the  palace 
and  descended  through  the  streets  of  Granada, 
the  populace  greeted  their  youthful  sovereign  with 
shouts,  anticipating  deeds  of  prowess  that  would 
wither  the  laurels  of  his  father.  The  appearance 
of  Boabdil  was  well  calculated  to  captivate  the 
public  eye,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  description 
given  by  the  abbot  of  Bute,  in  his  manuscript 
history  of  the  House  of  Cordova.  He  was 
mounted  on  a superb  white  charger,  magnifi- 
cently caparisoned.  His  corselets  were  of  pol- 
ished steel,  richly  ornamented  ; studded  with 
gold  nails,  and  lined  with  crimson  velvet.  He 
wore  a steel  casque,  exquisitely  chiseled  and  em- 
bossed; his  scimetar  and  dagger  of  Damascus 


108 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


were  of  highest  temper ; he  had  a round  buckler 
at  his  shoulder,  and  bore  a ponderous  lance.  la 
passing  through  the  gate  of  Elvira,  however,  he 
accidentally  broke  his  lance  against  the  arch. 
At  this,  certain  of  his  nobles  turned  pale,  and 
entreated  him  to  turn  back,  for  they  regarded  it 
as  an  evil  omen.  Boabdil  scoffed  at  their  fears 
as  idle  fancies.  He  refused  to  take  another 
spear,  but  drew  forth  his  scimetar,  and  led  the 
way  (adds  Agapida)  in  an  arrogant  and  haughty 
style,  as  though  he  Would  set  both  heaven  and 
earth  at  defiance.  Another  evil  omen  was  sent 
to  deter  him  from  his  enterprise : arriving  at  the 
rambla,  or  dry  ravine  of  Beyro,  which  is  scarcely 
a bow-shot  from  the  city,  a fox  ran  through  the 
whole  army,  and  close  by  the  person  of  the  king ; 
and,  though  a thousand  bolts  were  discharged  at 
it,  escaped  uninjured  to  the  mountains.  The 
principal  courtiers  now  reiterated  their  remon- 
strances against  proceeding;  the  king,  however, 
was  not  to  be  dismayed  by  these  portents,  but 
continued  to  march  forward.^ 

At  Loxa  the  army  was  reinforced  by  old  Ali 
Atar,  with  the  chosen  horsemen  of  his  garrison, 
and  many  of  the  bravest  warriors  of  the  border 
towns.  The  people  of  Loxa  shouted  with  exul- 
tation when  they  beheld  Ali  Atar,  armed  at  all 
points,  and  mounted  on  his  Barbary  steed,  which 
had  often  borne  him  over  the  borders.  The  vet- 
eran warrior,  with  nearly  a century  of  years 
upon  his  head,  had  all  the  fire  and  animation  of 
youth  at  the  prospect  of  a foray,  and  careered 
1 Marmol.  Rebel,  de  los  il/oros,  lib.  1,  c.  12,  fol.  14. 


THE  MARCH  TO  LUCENA. 


109 


from  rank  to  rank  with  the  velocity  of  an  Arab 
of  the  desert.  The  populace  watched  the  army, 
as  it  paraded  over  the  bridge,  and  wound  into  the 
passes  of  the  mountains ; and  still  their  eyes 
were  fixed  upon  the  pennon  of  Ali  Atar,  as  if  it 
bore  with  it  an  assurance  of  victory. 

The  Moorish  army  entered  the  Christian  fron- 
tier by  forced  marches,  hastily  ravaging  the  coun- 
try, driving  off  the  flocks  and  herds,  and  making 
captives  of  the  inhabitants.  They  pressed  on 
furiously,  and  made  the  latter  part  of  their  march 
in  the  night,  to  elude  observation,  and  come  upon 
Lucena  by  surprise.  Boabdil  was  inexperienced 
in  warfare,  but  had  a veteran  counselor  in  his 
old  father-in-law ; for  Ali  Atar  knew  every  secret 
of  the  country,  and,  as  he  prowled  through  it,  his 
eye  ranged  over  the  land,  uniting  in  its  glare  the 
craft  of  the  fox  with  the  sanguinary  ferocity  of 
the  wolf.  He  had  flattered  himself  that  their 
march  had  been  so  rapid  as  to  outstrip  intelli- 
gence, and  that  Lucena  would  be  an  easy  cap- 
ture : when  suddenly  he  beheld  alarm-fires  blaz- 
ing upon  the  mountains.  “ We  are  discovered,” 
said  he  to  Boabdil ; “ the  country  will  be  up  in 
arms;  we  have  nothing  left  but  to  strike  boldly 
for  Lucena ; it  is  but  slightly  garrisoned,  and  we 
may  carry  it  by  assault  before  we  can  receive 
assistance.”  The  king  approved  of  his  counsel, 
and  they  marched  rapidly  for  the  gate  of  Lucena. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


How  the  Count  de  Cabra  sallied  forth  from  his  Castle  in  quest 
of  King  Boahdil. 

ON  DIEGO  DE  CORDOVA,  count  of 
Cabra,  was  in  the  castle  of  Vaena,  which, 
with  the  town  of  the  same  name,  is  situ- 
ated on  a lofty,  sun-burnt  hill,  on  the  frontier  of 
the  kingdom  of  Cordova,  and  but  a few  leagues 
from  Lucena.  The  range  of  mountains  of  Hor- 
quera  lie  between  them.  The  castle  of  Vaena 
was  strong,  and  well  furnished  with  arms,  and 
the  count  had  a numerous  band  of  vassals  and 
retainers ; for  it  behooved  the  noblemen  of  the 
frontiers,  in  those  times,  to  be  well  prepared  with 
man  and  horse,  with  lance  and  buckler,  to  resist 
the  sudden  incursions  of  the  Moors.  The  count 
of  Cabra  was  a hardy  and  experienced  warrior, 
shrewd  in  council,  prompt  in  action,  rapid  and 
fearless  in  the  field.  He  was  one  of  the  bravest 
of  cavaliers  for  an  inroad,  and  had  been  quick- 
ened and  sharpened,  in  thought  and  action,  by 
living  on  the  borders. 

On  the  night  of  the  20th  of  April,  1483,  the 
count  was  about  to  retire  to  rest,  when  the  watch- 
man from  the  turret  brought  him  word  that  there 
were  alarm-fires  on  the  mountains  of  Horquera, 


DE  CABRA  PURSUES  BOARD  IE  111 


and  that  they  were  made  on  the  signal-tower 
overhanging  the  defile  through  which  the  road 
passes  to  Cabra  and  Lucena. 

The  count  ascended  the  battlement,  and  beheld 
five  lights  blazing  on  the  tower  — a sign  that 
there  was  a Moorish  army  attacking  some  place 
on  the  frontier.  The  count  instantly  ordered  the 
alarm-bells  to  be  sounded,  and  dispatched  couriers 
to  rouse  the  commanders  of  the  neighboring 
towns.  He  called  upon  his  retainers  to  prepare 
for  action,  and  sent  a trumpet  through  the  town, 
summoning  the  men  to  assemble  at  the  castle-gate 
at  daybreak,  armed  and  equipped  for  the  field. 

Throughout  the  remainder  of  the  night,  the  cas- 
tle resounded  with  the  din  of  preparation.  Every 
house  in  the  town  was  in  equal  bustle  ; for  in 
these  frontier  towns  every  house  had  its  warrior, 
and  the  lance  and  buckler  were  ever  hanging 
against  the  wall,  ready  to  be  snatched  down  for 
instant  service.  Nothing  was  heard  but  the  din 
of  armorers,  the  shoeing  of  studs,  and  furbishing 
up  of  weapons,  and,  all  night  long,  the  alarm-fires 
kept  blazing  on  the  mountains. 

When  the  morning  dawned  the  count  of  Cabra 
sallied  forth,  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
cavaliers,  of  the  best  families  of  Yaena,  all  well 
appointed,  exercised  in  arms,  and  experienced  in 
the  warfare  of  the  borders.  There  were,  besides, 
twelve  hundred  foot  soldiers,  brave  and  well-sea- 
soned men  of  the  same  town.  The  count  ordered 
them  to  hasten  forward,  whoever  could  make  most 
speed,  taking  the  road  to  Cabra,  which  was  three 
leagues  distant.  That  they  might  not  loiter  on 


/ 


112  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

the  road,  he  allowed  none  of  them  to  break  their 
fast  until  they  arrived  at  that  place.  The  provi- 
dent count  dispatched  couriers  in  advance,  and 
the  little  army,  on  reaching  Cabra,  found  tables 
spread  with  food  and  refreshments,  at  the  gates 
of  the  town.  Here  they  were  joined  by  Don 
Alonza  de  Cordova,  senior  of  Zuheros. 

Having  made  a hearty  repast,  they  were  on 
the  point  of  resuming  their  march,  when  the 
count  discovered  that,  in  the  hurry  of  his  depar- 
ture from  home,  he  had  forgotten  to  bring  the 
standard  of  Vaena,  which  for  upwards  of  eighty 
years  had  always  been  borne  to  battle  by  his  fam- 
ily. It  was  noon,  and  there  was  not  time  to  re- 
turn : he  took,  therefore,  the  standard  of  Cabra, 
the  device  of  which  is  a goat,  and  which  had  not 
been  seen  in  the  wars  for  the  last  half  century. 
When  about  to  depart,  a courier  came  galloping 
at  full  speed,  bringing  missives  to  the  count  from 
his  nephew,  Don  Diego  Fernandez  de  Cordova, 
senior  of  Lucena  and  alcayde  de  los  Donzeles,  ^ 
entreating  him  to  hasten  to  his  aid,  as  his  town 
was  beset  by  the  Moorish  king,  Boabdil  el  Chico, 
with  a powerful  army,  who  were  actually  setting 
fire  to  the  gates. 

The  count  put  his  little  army  instantly  in 
movement  for  Lucena,  which  is  only  one  league 
from  Cabra  ; he  was  fired  with  the  idea  of  hav- 
ing the  Moorish  king  in  person  to  contend  with. 
By  the  time  he  reached  Lucena,  the  Moors  had 

1 The  Donzeles  were  3’’oung  cavaliers  who  had  been  pages 
in  the  royal  household,  but  now  formed  an  elite  corps  in  the 
army. 


BE  CABEA^S  ARRIVAL  AT  LUCENA,  118 


desisted  from  the  attack,  and  were  ravaging  the 
surrounding  country.  He  entered  the  town  with 
a few  of  his  cavaliers,  and  was  received  with  joy 
by  his  nephew,  whose  whole  force  consisted  but 
of  eighty  horse  and  three  hundred  foot.  Don 
Diego  Fernandez  de  Cordova  was  a young  man, 
yet  he  was  a prudent,  careful,  and  capable  officer. 
Having  learnt,  the  evening  before,  that  the  Moors 
had  passed  the  frontiers,  he  had  gathered  within 
his  walls  all  the  women  and  children  from  the 
environs  ; had  armed  the  men,  sent  couriers  in  all 
directions  for  succor,  and  had  lighted  alarm-fires 
on  the  mountains. 

Boabdil  had  arrived  with  his  army  at  daybreak, 
and  had  sent  in  a message  threatening  to  put  the 
garrison  to  the  sword  if  the  place  were  not  in- 
stantly surrendered.  The  messenger  was  a Moor 
of  Granada,  named  Hamet,  whom  Don  Diego  had 
formerly  known : he  contrived  to  amuse  him 
with  negotiation,  to  gain  time  for  succor  to  ar- 
rive. The  fierce  Ali  Atar,  losing  all  patience, 
had  made  an  assault  upon  the  town,  and  stormed 
like  a fury  at  the  gate ; but  had  been  repulsed. 
Another  and  more  serious  attack  was  expected 
in  the  course  of  the  night. 

When  the  count  de  Cabra  had  heard  this  ac- 
count of  the  situation  of  affairs,  he  turned  to  his 
nephew,  with  his  usual  alacrity  of  manner,  and 
proposed  that  they  should  immediately  sally  forth 
in  quest  of  the  enemy.  The  prudent  Don  Diego 
remonstrated  at  the  rashness  of  attacking  so  great 
a force  with  a mere  handful  of  men.  ‘‘  Nephew,” 
said  the  count,  “ I came  from  Vaena  with  a de- 
8 


114 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


termination  to  fight  this  Moorish  king,  and  I will 
not  be  disappointed.” 

At  any  rate,”  replied  Don  Diego,  “ let  us 
wait  but  two  hours,  and  we  shall  have  reinforce- 
ments which  have  been  promised  me  from  Gam- 
bia, Santaella,  Montilla,  and  other  places  in  the 
neighborhood.”  “ If  we  await  these,”  said  the 
hardy  count,  “ the  Moors  will  be  off,  and  all  our 
trouble  will  have  been  in  vain.  You  may  await 
them,  if  you  please  ; I am  resolved  on  fighting.” 

The  count  paused  for  no  reply  , but,  in  his 
prompt  and  rapid  manner,  sallied  forth  to  his 
men.  The  young  alcayde  de  los  Donzeles,  though 
more  prudent  than  his  ardent  uncle,  was  equally 
brave  ; he  determined  to  stand  by  him  in  his 
rash  enterprise,  and,  summoning  his  little  force, 
marched  forth  to  join  the  count,  who  was  already 
on  the  move.  They  then  proceeded  together  in 
quest  of  the  enemy. 

The  Moorish  army  had  ceased  ravaging  the 
country,  and  were  not  to  be  seen  — the  neighbor- 
hood being  hilly,  and  broken  with  deep  ravines* 
The  count  dispatched  six  scouts  on  horseback  to 
reconnoitre,  ordering  them  to  return  with  all 
speed  on  discovering  the  enemy,  and  by  no  means 
to  engage  in  skirmishing  with  stragglers.  The 
scouts,  ascending  a high  hill,  beheld  the  Moorish 
army  in  a valley  behind  it,  the  cavalry  ranged  in 
five  battalions  keeping  guard,  while  the  foot  sol- 
diers were  seated  on  the  grass  making  a repast. 
They  returned  immediately  with  the  intelligence. 

The  count  now  ordered  the  troops  to  march  in 
the  direction  of  the  enemy.  He  and  his  nephew 


ATTACK  ON  THE  MOORS. 


115 


ascended  the  hill,  and  saw  that  the  five  battalions 
of  Moorish  cavalry  had  been  formed  into  two, 
one  of  about  nine  hundred  lances,  the  other  of 
about  six  hundred.  The  whole  force  seemed  pre- 
pared to  march  for  the  frontier.  The  foot  sol- 
diers were  already  under  way,  with  many  prison- 
ers, and  a great  train  of  mules  and  beasts  of 
burden,  laden  with  booty.  At  a distance  was 
Eoabdil  el  Chico : they  could  not  distinguish  his 
person,  but  they  knew  him  by  his.  superb  black 
and  white  charger,  magnificently  caparisoned,  and 
by  his  being  surrounded  by  a numerous  guard, 
sumptuously  armed  and  attired.  Old  Ali  Atar 
was  careering  about. the  valley  with  his  usual  im- 
patience, hurrying  the  march  of  the  loitering 
troops. 

The  eyes  of  the  count  de  Cabra  glistened  with 
eager  joy,  as  he  beheld  the  royal  prize  within  his 
reach.  The  immense  disparity  of  their  forces 
never  entered  into  his  mind.  ‘‘  By  Santiago  ! ” 
said  he  to  his  nephew,  as  they  hastened  down 
the  hill,  “ had  we  waited  for  more  forces,  the 
Moorish  king  and  his  army  would  have  escaped 
us  ! ” 

The  count  now  harangued  his  men,  to  inspirit 
them  to  this  hazardous  encounter.  He  told  them 
not  to  be  dismayed  at  the  number  of  the  Moors,  for 
God  often  permitted  the  few  to  conquer  the  many : 
and  he  had  great  confidence,  that,  through  the  di- 
vine aid,  they  were  that  day  to  achieve  a signal 
victory,  which  should  win  them  both  riches  and 
renown.  He  commanded  that  no  man  should 
hurl  his  lance  at  the  enemy,  but  should  keep  it  ia 


/ 


116  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

his  hands,  and  strike  as  many  blows  with  it  as  he 
could.  He  warned  them,  also,  never  to  shout  ex- 
cept when  the  Moors  did  ; for  when  both  armies 
shouted  together,  there  was  no  perceiving  which 
made  the  most  noise  and  was  the  strongest.  He 
desired  his  uncle  Lope  de  Mendoza,  and  Diego 
de  Cabrera,  alcayde  of  Dona  Mencia,  to  alight 
and  enter  on  foot  in  the  battalion  of  infantry,  to 
animate  them  to  the  combat.  He  appointed  also 
the  alcayde  of  Vaena  and  Diego  de  Clavijo,  a 
cavalier  of  his  household,  to  remain  in  the  rear, 
and  not  to  permit  any  one  to  lag  behind,  either 
to  despoil  the  dead,  or  for  any  other  purpose. 

Such  were  the  orders  given  by  this  most  adroit, 
active,  and  intrepid  cavalier,  to  his  little  army, 
supplying  by  admirable  sagacity  and  subtile  man- 
agement, the  want  of  a more  numerous  force. 
His  orders  being  given,  and  all  arrangements 
made,  he  threw  aside  his  lance,  drew  his  sword, 
and  commanded  his  standard  to  be  advanced 
against  the  enemy. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


The  Battle  of  Lucena* 

HE  Moorish  king  had  descried  the  Span- 
ish forces  at  a distance,  although  a slight 
fog  prevented  his  seeing  them  distinctly, 
and  ascertaining  their  numbers.  His  old  father- 
in-law,  Ali  Atar,  was  by  his  side,  who,  being  a 
veteran  marauder,  was  well  acquainted  with  all 
the  standards  and  armorial  bearings  of  the  fron- 
tiers. When  the  king  beheld  the  ancient  and 
long-disused  banner  of  Cabra  emerging  from  the 
mist,  he  turned  to  Ali  Atar,  and  demanded  whose 
ensign  it  was.  The  old  borderer  was  for  once 
at  a loss,  for  the  banner  had  not  been  displayed 
in  battle  in  his  time.  ‘‘  In  truth,’’  replied  he, 
after  a pause,  “ I have  been  considering  that  stan- 
dard for  some  time,  but  I confess,  I do  not  know 
it.  It  cannot  be  the  ensign  of  any  single  com- 
mander or  community,  for  none  would  venture 
single-handed  to  attack  you.  It  appears  to  be  a 
dog,  which  device  is  borne  by  the  towns  of  Baeza 
and  Ubeda.  If  it  be  so,  all  Andalusia  is  in 
movement  against  you,  and  I would  advise  you 
to  retire.” 

The  count  de  Cabra,  in  winding  down  the  hill 
towards  the  Moors,  found  himself  on  much  lower 


118 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


ground  than  the  enemy ; he  ordered  in  all  haste 
that  his  standard  should  be  taken  back,  so  as  to 
gain  the  vantage  ground.  The  Moors,  mistaking 
this  for  a retreat,  rushed  impetuously  towards  the 
Christians.  The  latter  having  gained  the  height 
proposed,  charged  upon  them  at  the  same  moment, 
with  the  battle-cry  of  “ Santiago ! ” and  dealing 
the  first  blows,  laid  many  of  the  Moorish  cava- 
liers in  the  dust. 

The  Moors,  thus  checked  in  their  tumultuous 
assault,  were  thrown  into  confusion,  and  began  to 
give  way,  the  Christians  following  hard  upon 
them.  Boabdil  el  Chico  endeavored  to  rally 
them.  “ Hold  ! hold  ! for  shame  ! ’’  cried  he  ; “ let 
us  not  fly,  at  least  until  we  know  our  enemy.” 
The  Moorish  chivalry  were  stun^  by  this  reproof, 
and  turned  to  make  front,  with  the  valor  of  men 
who  feel  that  they  are  fighting  under  their  mon- 
arch’s eye. 

At  this  moment,  Lorenzo  de  Torres,  alcayde 
of  Luque,  arrived  with  fifty  horse  and  one  hun- 
dred foot,  sounding  an  Italian  trumpet  from 
among  a copse  of  oak  trees,  which  concealed 
his  force.  The  quick  ear  of  old  Ali  Atar  caught 
the  note.  That  is  an  Itjilian  trumpet,”  said  he 
to  the  king  ; ‘‘  the  whole  world  seems  in  arms 
against  your  highness  I ” 

The  trumpet  of  Lorenzo  de  Torres  was  an- 
swered by  that  of  the  count  de  Cabra,  in  another 
direction,  and  it  seemed  to  the  Moors  as  if  they 
were  between  two  armies.  Don  Lorenzo,  sally- 
ing from  among  the  oaks,  now  charged  upon  the 
enemy : the  latter  did  not  wait  to  ascertain  the 


THE  MOORS  DISCOMFITED. 


119 


force  of  this  new  foe ; the  confusion,  the  variety 
of  alarms,  the  attacks  from  opposite  quarters,  the 
obscurity  of  the  fog,  all  conspired  to  deceive  them 
as  to  the  number  of  their  adversaries.  Broken 
and  dismayed,  they  retreated  fighting  ; and  noth- 
ing but  the  presence  and  remonstrances  of  the 
king  prevented  their  retreat  from  becoming  a 
headlong  flight.  If  Boabdil  had  displayed  little 
of  the  talents  of  a general  in  the  outset  of  his 
enterprise,  he  manifested  courage  and  presence 
of  mind  amid  the  disasters  of  its  close.  Seconded 
by  a small  body  of  cavalry,  the  choicest  and  most 
loyal  of  his  guards,  he  made  repeated  stand 
against  the  press  of  the  foe,  in  a skirmishing  re- 
treat of  about  three  leagues  ; and  the  way  was 
strewn  with  the  flower  of  his  chivalry.  At 
length,  they  came  to  the  brook  of  Martin  Gon- 
zales, or  Mingozales,  as  it  is  called  by  the  Moor- 
ish chroniclers  ; wliich,  swollen  by  recent  rain,  was 
now  a deep  and  turbid  torrent.  Here  a scene  of 
confusion  ensued.  Horse  and  foot  precipitated 
themselves  into  the  stream.  Some  of  the  horses 
stuck  fast  in  the  mire  and  blocked  up  the  ford  ; 
others  trampled  down  the  foot-soldiers ; many 
were  drowned  and  more  carried  down  the  stream. 
Such  of  the  foot-soldiers  as  gained  the  opposite 
side,  immediately  took  to  flight;  the  horsemen, 
too,  who  had  struggled  through  the  stream,  gave 
reins  to  their  steeds  and  scoured  for  the  frontier. 

The  little  band  of  devoted  cavaliers  about  the 
king  serried  their  forces,  to  keep  the  enemy  in 
check,  fighting  with  them  hand  to  hand,  until  he 
should  have  time  to  cross.  In  the  tumult,  his 


120 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


horse  was  shot  down,  and  he  became  environed 
in  the  throng  of  foot-soldiers,  struggling  forward 
to  the  ford,  and  in  peril  from  the  lances  of  their 
pursuers.  Conscious  that  his  rich  array  made 
him  a conspicuous  object,  he  retreated  along  the 
bank  of  the  river,  and  endeavored  to  conceal 
himself  in  a thicket  of  willows  and  tamarisks. 
Thence,  looking  back,  he  beheld  his  loyal  band 
at  length  give  way,  supposing,  no  doubt,  he  had 
effected  his  escape.  They  crossed  the  ford,  fol- 
lowed pell-mell  by  the  enemy,  and  several  of 
them  were  struck  down  in  the  stream. 

While  Boabdil  was  meditating  to  throw  him- 
self into  the  water,  and  endeavor  to  swim  across, 
he  was  discovered  by  Martin  Hurtado,  regidor  of 
Lucena,  a brave  cavalier,  who  had  been  captive 
in  the  prisons  of  Granada,  and  exchanged  for  a 
Christian  knight.  Hurtado  attacked  the  king 
with  a pike,  but  was  kept  at  bay  ; until  seeing 
other  soldiers  approaching,  Boabdil  cried  for 
quarters  ; proclaiming  himself  a person  of  high 
rank,  who  would  pay  a noble  ransom.  At  this 
moment  came  up  several  men  of  Yaena,  of  the 
troop  of  the  count  de  Cabra.  Hearing  the  talk 
of  ransom  and  noticing  the  splendid  attire  of  the 
Moor,  they  endeavored  to  secure  fof  themselves 
so  rich  a prize.  One  of  them  seized  hold  of 
Boabdil,  but  the  latter  resented  the  indignity,  by 
striking  him  to  the  earth  with  a blow  of  his  pon- 
iard. Others  of  Hurtado’s  townsmen  coming  up, 
a contest  arose  between  the  men  of  Lucena  and 
Vaena,  as  to  who  had  a right  to  the  prisoner. 
The  noise  brought  Don  Diego  Fernandez  de 


CAPTURE  OF  BOABDIL. 


121 


Cordova  to  the  spot,  who,  by  his  authority,  put 
an  end  to  the  altercation.  Boabdil,  finding  him- 
self unknown  by  all  present,  concealed  his  quality, 
giving  himself  out  as  the  son  of  Aben  Alnayer, 
a cavalier  of  the  royal  household.^  Don  Diego 
treated  him  with  great  courtesy  ; put  a red  band 
round  his  neck  in  sign  of  his  being  a captive,  and 
sent  him  under  an  escort  to  the  castle  of  Luceua, 
where  his  quality  would  be  ascertained,  his  ran- 
som arranged,  and  the  question  settled  as  to  who 
had  made  him  prisoner. 

This  done,  the  count  put  spurs  to  his  horse, 
and  hastened  to  rejoin  the  count  de  Cabra,  who 
was  in  hot  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  He  overtook 
him  at  a stream  called  Reanaul ; and  they  contin- 
ued together  to  press  on  the  skirts  of  the  flying 
army  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  The  pur- 
suit was  almost  as  hazardous  as  the  battle ; for, 
had  the  enemy  at  any  time  recovered  from  their 
panic,  they  might,  by  a sudden  reaction,  have  over- 
whelmed the  small  force  of  their  pursuers.  To 
guard  against  this  peril,  the  wary  count  kept  his 
battalion  always  in  close  order,  and  had  a body 
of  a hundred  chosen  lancers  in  the  advance.  The 
Moors  kept  up  a Parthian  retreat ; several  times 
they  turned  to  make  battle ; but,  seeing  this  solid 
body  of  steeled  warriors  pressing  upon  them,  they 
a^ain  took  to  flight. 

The  main  retreat  of  the  army  was  along  the 
valley  watered  by  the  Xenil,  and  opening  through 
the  mountains  of  Algaringo  to  the  city  of  Loxa. 
The  alarm-fires  of  the  preceding  night  had  aroused 
1 Garibay,  lib.  40,  cap.  31. 


122 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  country ; every  man  snatched  sword  anv3 
buckler  from  the  wall,  and  the  towns  and  villages 
poured  forth  their  warriors  to  harass  the  retreat- 
ing foe.  All  Atar  kept  the  main  force  of  the 
army  together,  and  turned  fiercely  from  time  to 
time  upon  his  pursuers ; he  was  like  a wolf,  hun- 
ted through  the  country  he  had  often  made  deso- 
late by  his  maraudings. 

The  alarm  of  this  invasion  had  reached  the 
city  of  Antiquera,  where  were  several  of  the  cava- 
liers who  had  escaped  from  the  carnage  in  the 
mountains  of  Malaga.  Their  proud  minds  were 
festering  with  their  late  disgrace,  and  their  only 
prayer  was  for  vengeance  on  the  infidels.  No 
sooner  did  they  hear  of  the  Moor  being  over  the 
border,  that  they  were  armed  and  mounted  for 
action.  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  led  them  forth ; 
— a small  body  of  but  forty  horsemen,  but  all 
cavaliers  of  prowess,  and  thirsting  for  revenge. 
They  came  upon  the  foe  on  the  banks  of  the 
Xenil,  where  it  winds  through  the  valleys  of  Cor- 
dova. The  river,  swelled  by  the  late  rains,  was 
deep  and  turbulent,  and  only  fordable  at  certain 
places.  The  main  body  of  the  army  was  gathered 
in  confusion  on  the  banks,  endeavoring  to  ford  the 
stream,  protected  by  the  cavalry  of  Ali  Atar. 

No  sooner  did  the  little  band  of  Alonzo  de 
Aguilar  come  in  sight  of  the  Moors,  than  fury 
flashed  from  their  eyes.  “ Remember  the  moun- 
tains of  Malaga !”  cried  they  to  each  other,  as  they 
rushed  to  combat.  Their  charge  was  desperate, 
but  was  gallantly  resisted.  A scrambling  and 
blood}?  fight  ensued,  hand  to  hand  and  sword  to 


DEATH  OF  ALT  ATAR, 


123 


sword,  sometimes  on  land,  sometimes  in  the  water. 
Many  were  lanced  on  the  banks ; others,  throwing 
themselves  into  the  river,  sank  with  the  weight  oi 
their  armor,  and  were  drowned  ; some,  grappling  to- 
gether, fell  from  their  horses,  but  continued  their 
struggle  in  the  waves,  and  helm  and  turban  rolled 
together  down  the  stream.  The  Moors  were  far 
greater  in  number,  and  among  them  were  many 
warriors  of  rank ; but  they  were  disheartened  by 
defeat,  while  the  Christians  were  excited  even  to 
desperation. 

Ali  Atar  alone  preserved  all  his  fire  and  energy, 
amid  his  reverses.  He  had  been  enraged  at  the 
defeat  of  the  army,  and  the  ignominious  flight  he 
had  been  obliged  to  make  through  a country  which 
had  so  often  been  the  scene  of  his  exploits  ; but 
to  be  thus  impeded  in  his  flight,  and  harassed 
and  insulted  by  a mere  handful  of  warriors,  roused 
the  violent  passions  of  the  old  Moor  to  perfect 
frenzy.  He  had  marked  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar 
dealing  his  blows  (says  Agapida),  with  the  pious 
vehemence  of  a righteous  knight,  wlio  knows  that 
in  every  wound  inflicted  upon  the  infidels,  he  is 
doing  God  service.  Ali  Atar  spurred  his  steed 
along  the  bank  of  the  river,  to  come  upon  Don 
Alonzo  by  surprise.  The  back  of  the  warrior 
was  towards  him  ; and,  collectinof  all  his  force, 
the  Moor  hurled  his  lance  to  transfix  him  on  the 
spot.  The  lance  was  not  thrown  with  the  usual 
accuracy  of  Ali  Atar  : it  tore  away  a part  of  the 
cuirass  of  Don  Alonzo,  but  failed  to  inflict  a 
wound.  The  Moor  rushed  upon  Don  Alonzo 
with  his  scimetar ; but  the  latter  was  on  the  alert, 


124 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


and  parried  his  blow.  They  fought  desperately 
upon  the  borders  of  the  river,  alternately  pressing 
each  other  into  the  stream,  and  fighting  their  way 
again  up  the  bank.  Ali  Atar  was  repeatedly 
wounded  ; and  Don  Alonzo,  having  pity  on  his 
age,  would  have  spared  his  life  : lie  called  upon 
him  to  surrender.  “ Never,”  cried  Ali  Atar,  to 
a Christian  dog!”  The  words  were  scarce  out 
of  his  mouth,  when  the  sword  of  Don  Alonzo 
clove  his  turbaned  head,  and  sank  deep  into  the 
brain.  He  fell  dead  without  a groan  ; his  body 
rolled  into  the  Xenil,  nor  was  it  ever  found  nor 
recognized.^  Thus  fell  Ali  Atar,  who  had  long 
been  the  terror  of  Andalusia.  As  he  had  hated 
and  warred  upon  the  Christians  all  his  life,  so  he 
died  in  the  very  act  of  bitter  hostility. 

The  fall  of  Ali  Atar  put  an  end  to  the  transient 
stand  of  the  cavalry.  Horse  and  foot  mingled  to- 
gether, in  the  desperate  struggle  across  the  Xenil ; 
and  many  were  trampled  down  and  perished  be- 
neath the  waves.  Don  Alonzo  and  his  band  con- 
tinued to  harass  them  until  they  crossed  the  fron- 
tier; and  every  blow,  struck  home  to  the  Moors, 
seemed  to  lighten  the  load  of  humiliation  and  sor- 
row which  had  weighed  heavy  on  their  hearts. 

In  this  disastrous  rout,  the  Moors  lost  upwards 
of  five  thousand  killed  and  made  prisoners;  many 
of  whom  were  of  the  most  noble  lineages  of  Gra- 
nada : numbers  fled  to  rocks  and  mountains,  where 
they  were  subsequently  taken. 

Boabdil  remained  a prisoner  in  the  state  towei 
of  the  citadel  of  Lucena,  under  the  vigilance  of 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios, 


TROPHIES  OF  VICTORY. 


125 


Alonzo  de  Rueda,  esquire  of  the  alcayde  of 
Donzeles ; his  quality  was  still  unknown,  until 
the  24th  of  April,  three  days  after  the  battle. 
On  that  day  some  prisoners,  natives  of  Granada, 
just  brought  in,  caught  sight  of  the  unfortunate 
Boabdil,  despoiled  of  his  royal  robes.  Throwing 
themselves  at  his  feet,  they  broke  forth  in  loud 
lamentations ; apostrophizing  him  as  their  lord  and 
king. 

Great  was  the  astonishment  and  triumph  of 
the  count  de  Cabra  and  Don  Diego  Fernandez 
de  Cordova  on  learning  the  rank  of  the  supposed 
cavalier.  They  both  ascended  to  the  castle  to  see 
that  he  was  lodged  in  a style  befitting  his  quality. 
When  the  good  count  beheld,  in  the  dejected  cap- 
tive before  him,  the  monarch  who  had  so  recently 
appeared  in  royal  splendor,  surrounded  by  an  army, 
his  generous  heart  was  touched  by  sympathy.  He 
said  everything  to  comfort  him  that  became  a cour- 
teous and  Christian  knight,  observing  that  the 
same  mutability  of  things  which  had  suddenly 
brought  him  low,  might  as  rapidly  restore  him  to 
prosperity,  since  in  this  world  nothing  is  stable, 
and  sorrow,  like  joy,  has  its  allotted  term. 

The  action  here  recorded  was  called  by  some 
the  battle  of  Lucena,  by  others  the  battle  of  the 
Moorish  king,  because  of  the  capture  of  Boabdil. 
Twenty-two  banners,  taken  on  the  occasion,  were 
borne  in  triumph  into  Yaena  on  the  23d  of  April, 
St.  George’s  day,  and  hung  up  in  the  church. 
There  they  remain  (says  a historian  of  after  times) 
to  this  day.  Once  a year,  on  the  festival  of  St. 
George,  they  are  borne  about  in  procession  by  the 


126 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


inhabitants,  who,  at  the  same  time,  give  thanks  to 
God  for  this  signal  victory  granted  to  their  fore- 
fathers.^ 

1 Several  circumstances  relative  to  the  capture  of  Boabdil 
vary  in  this  from  the  first,  edition,  in  consequence  of  later  light 
thrown  on  the  subject  by  Don  Miguel  Lafuente  Alcantara  in 
his  history  of  Granada.  He  has  availed  himself  much  ol 
various  ancient  documents  relative  to  the  battle,  especially 
the  history  of  the  House  of  Cordova,  by  the  Abbot  of  Rute, 
a descendant  of  that  family;  a rare  manuscript,  of  which  few 
copies  exist. 

The  question  as  to  the  person  entitled  to  the  honor  and 
reward  for  having  captured  the  king,  long  continued  a matter 
of  dispute  between  the  people  of  Lucena  and  Vaena.  On  the 
20th  of  October,  1520,  about  thirty-seven  years  after  the  event, 
an  examination  of  several  witnesses  to  the  fact  took  place 
before  the  chief  justice  of  the  fortress  of  Lucena,  at  the  in- 
stance of  Bartolomy  Hurtado,  the  son  of  Martin,  when  the 
claim  of  his  father  was  established  by  Dona  Lenora  Hernan- 
dez, lady  in  attendant  on  the  mother  of  the  alcayde  of  los 
Donzeles,  who  testified  being  present  when  Boabdil  signalized 
Martin  Hurtado  as  his  captor. 

The  chief  honor  of  the  day,  and  of  course  of  the  defeat  and 
capture  of  the  Moorish  monarch,  was  given  by  the  sovereign 
to  the  count  de  Cabra : the  second  to  his  nephew,  Don  Diego 
Fernandez  de  Cordova. 

Among  the  curious  papers  cited  by  Alcantara,  is  one  exist- 
ing in  the  archives  of  the  House  of  Medina  Celi,  giving  the 
account  of  the  treasurer  of  Don  Diego  Fernandez,  as  to  the 
sums  expended  by  his  lord  in  the  capture  of  the  king;  the  re- 
ward given  to  some  soldiers  for  a standard  of  the  king’s  which 
they  had  taken;  to  others  for  wounds  they  had  received,  etc. 

Another  paper  speaks  of  an  auction  at  Lucena  on  the  28th 
of  April,  of  horses  and  mules  taken  in  the  battle.  Another 
paper  states  the  gratuities  of  the  alcayde  of  los  Donzeles  to 
the  soldiery  — four  fanegas,  or  about  four  hundred  weight  of 
wheat  and  a lance  to  each  horseman,  two  fanegas  of  wheat 
and  a laifce  to  each  foot-soldier. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Lamentations  of  the  Moors  for  the  Battle  of  Lucena. 

HE  sentinels  looked  out  from  the  watch- 
towers  of  Loxa,  along  the  valley  of  the 
Xenil,  which  passes  through  the  moun- 
tains of  Algaringo/  They  looked  to  behold  the 
king  returning  in  triumph,  at  the  head  of  his 
shining  host,  laden  with  the  spoil  of  the  unbeliever. 
They  looked  to  behold  the  standard  of  their 
warlike  idol,  the  fierce  Ali  Atar,  borne  by  the 
chivalry  of  Loxa,  ever  foremost  in  the  wars  of 
the  border. 

In  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  April,  they 
descried  a single  horseman  urging  his  faltering 
steed  along  the  banks  of  the  Xenil.  As  he  drew 
near,  they  perceived,  by  the  flash  of  arms,  that  he 
was  a warrior  ; and  on  nearer  approach,  by  the 
richness  of  his  armor  and  the  caparison  of  his 
steed,  they  knew  him  to  be  a warrior  of  rank. 

He  reached  Loxa,  faint  and  aghast ; his  courser 
covered  with  foam,  and  dust,  and  blood,  panting 
and  staggering  with  fatigue,  and  gashed  with 
wounds.  Having  brought  his  master  in  safety, 
he  sank  down  and  died  before  the  gate  of  the  city. 
The  soldiers  at  the  gate  gathered  round  the 
cavalier,  as  he  stood  by  his  expiring  steed ; they 


128 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


knew  him  to  be  Cidi  Caleb,  nephew  of  the  chief 
alfaqui  of  the  mosque  in  the  Albaycin,  and  their 
hearts  were  filled  with  fearful  forebodings. 

Cavalier,”  said  they,  “ how  fares  it  with  the 
king  and  army  ? ” 

He  cast  his  hand  mournfully  towards  the  land 
of  the  Christians.  “ There  they  lie  ! ” exclaimed 
he.  “ The  Heavens  have  fallen  upon  them.  All 
are  lost ! all  dead  ! ” ^ 

Upon  this,  there  was  a great  cry  of  consterna- 
tion among  the  people,  and  loud  wailings  of 
women  : for  the  flower  of  the  youth  of  Loxa  were 
with  the  army. 

An  old  Moorish  soldier,  scarred  in  many  a 
border  battle,  stood  leaning  on  his  lance  by  the 
gateway.  “ Where  is  Ali  Atar  ? ” demanded  he 
eagerly.  “ If  he  lives,  the  army  cannot  be 

lost.” 

“ I saw  his  helm  cleft  by  the  Christian  sword  ; 
his  body  is  floating  in  the  Xenil.” 

When  the  soldier  heard  these  words,  he  smote 
his  breast  and  threw  dust  upon  his  head  ; for  he 
was  an  old  follower  of  Ali  Atar. 

Cidi  Caleb  gave  himself  no  repose,  but,  mount- 
ing another  steed,  hastened  towards  Granada. 
As  he  passed  through  the  villages  and  hamlets,  he 
spread  sorrow  around  ; for  their  chosen  men  had 
followed  the  king  to  the  wars. 

When  he  entered  the  gates  of  Granada,  and 
announced  the  loss  of  the  king  and  army,  a voice 
of  horror  went  throughout  the  city.  Every  one 

1 Bernaldez  ( Cura  de>  los  Palacios^  Hist,  de  los  Reyes  Catchy 
MS.  cap.  61. 


A HERALD  OF  DEFEAT. 


129 


thought  but  of  his  own  share  in  the  general 
calamity,  and  crowded  round  the  bearer  of  ill  ti- 
dings. One  asked  after  a father,  another  after  a 
brother,  some  after  a lover,  and  many  a mother 
after  her  son.  His  replies  all  spoke  of  wounds 
and  death.  To  one  he  replied,  “ 1 saw  thy  father 
pierced  with  a lance,  as  he  defended  the  person 
of  the  king,”  To  another,  Thy  brother  fell 
wounded  under  the  hoofs  of  the  horses  ; but  there 
was  no  time  to  aid  him,  for  the  Christian  cavalry 
were  upon  us.”  To  another,  I saw  the  horse 
of  thy  lover,  covered  with  blood  and  galloping 
without  his  rider.”  To  another,  “ Thy  son 
fought  by  ray  side,  on  the  banks  of  the  Xenil : 
we  were  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  and  driven 
into  the  stream.  I heard  him  cry  upon  Allah, 
in  the  midst  of  the  waters  : when  I reached  the 
other  bank,  he  was  no  longer  by  my  side.” 

Cidi  Caleb  passed  on,  leaving  all  Granada  in 
lamentation  ; he  urged  his  steed  up  the  steep 
avenue  of  trees  and  fountains  that  leads  to  the 
Alhambra,  nor  stopped  until  he  arrived  before  the 
gate  of  Justice.  Ayxa,  the  mother  of  Boabdil, 
and  Morayma,  his  beloved  and  tender  wife,  had 
daily  watched  from  the  tower  of  Goraeres,  to  be- 
tiold  his  triumphant  return.  Who  shall  describe 
their  affliction,  when  they  heard  the  tidings  of 
Cidi  Caleb  ? The  sultana  Ayxa  spake  not  much, 
but  sat  as  one  entranced.  Every  now  and  then, 
a deep  sigh  burst  forth,  but  she  raised  her  eyes 
to  Heaven  : “ It  is  the  will  of  Allah  ! ” said  she, 
and  with  these  words  endeavored  to  repress  the 
9 


130 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


agonies  of  a mother’s  sorrow.  The  tender  Mo- 
rayma  threw  herself  on  the  earth,  and  gave  way 
to  the  full  turbulence  of  her  feelings,  bewailing 
her  husband  and  her  father.  The  high-minded 
Ayxa  rebuked  the  violence  of  her  grief : “ Mod- 
erate these  transports,  my  daughter,”  said  she  ; 

remember  magnanimity  should  be  the  attribute 
of  princes  ; it  becomes  not  them  to  give  way  to 
clamorous  sorrow,  like  common  and  vulgar 
minds.”  But  Morayma  could  only  deplore  her 
loss,  with  the  anguish  of  a tender  woman.  She 
shut  herself  up  in  her  mirador,  and  gazed  all  day, 
with  streaming  eyes,  upon  the  vega.  Every 
object  recalled  the  causes  of  her  affliction.  The 
river  Xenil,  which  ran  shining  amidst  groves  and 
gardens,  was  the  same  on  whose  banks  had 
perished  her  father,  Ali  Atar  ; before  her  lay  the 
road  to  Loxa,  by  which  Boabdil  had  departed,  in 
martial  state,  surrounded  by  the  chivalry  of 
Granada.  Ever  and  anon,  she  would  burst  into 
an  agony  of  grief.  “ Alas  ! my  father  ! ” she 
would  exclaim  ; “ the  river  runs  smiling  before 
me,  that  covers  thy  mangled  remains  ; who  will 
gather  them  to  an  honored  tomb,  in  the  land  of 
the  unbeliever  ? And  thou,  O,  Boabdil,  light  of 
my  eyes  ! joy  of  my  heart  ! life  of  my  life  I woe 
the  day,  and  woe  the  hour,  that  I saw  thee  depart 
from  these  walls.  The  road  by  which  thou  hast 
departed  is  solitary  ; never  will  it  be  gladdened 
by  thy  return  ! the  mountain  thou  hast  traversed 
lies  like  a cloud  in  the  distance,  and  all  beyond  is 
darkness.” 


SONGS  OF  LAMENTATION. 


131 


The  royal  minstrels  were  summoned  to  assuage 
her  sorrows ; they  attuned  their  instruments  to 
cheerful  strains  ; but  in  a little  while  the  anguish 
of  their  hearts  prevailed,  and  turned  their  songs 
to  lamentations. 

“ Beautiful  Granada  I ” exclaimed  they,  how 
is  thy  glory  faded  ! The  flower  of  thy  chivalry 
lies  low  in  the  land  of  the  stranger  ; no  longer 
does  the  Vivarrambla  echo  to  the  tramp  of  steed 
and  sound  of  trumpet ; no  longer  is  it  crowded 
with  thy  youthful  nobles,  gloriously  arrayed  for 
the  tilt  and  tourney.  Beautiful  Granada  ! the 
soft  note  of  the  lute  no  longer  floats  through  thy 
moonlit  streets  ; the  serenade  is  no  more  heard 
beneath  thy  balconies ; the  lively  castanet  is 
silent  upon  thy  hills  ; the  graceful  dance  of  the 
Zambra  is  no  more  seen  beneath  thy  bowers  ! 
Beautiful  Granada  ! why  is  the  Alhambra  so  lorn 
and  desolate ! Tlie  orange  and  myrtle  still 
breathe  their  perfumes  into  its  silken  chambers  ; 
the  nightingale  still  sings  within  its  groves  ; its 
marble  halls  are  still  refreshed  with  the  plash  of 
fountains  and  the  gush  of  limpid  rills.  Alas  ! 
alas  ! the  countenance  of  the  king  no  longer  shines 
within  those  halls.  The  light  of  the  Alhambra 
is  set  for  ever  ! ” 

Thus  all  Granada,  say  the  Arabian  chroniclers, 
gave  itself  up  to  lamentation ; there  was  nothing 
but  the  voice  of  wailing,  from  the  palace  to  the 
cottage.  All  joined  to  deplore  their  youthful 
monarch,  cut  down  in  the  freshness  and  promise 
of  his  youth ; many  feared  that  the  prediction  of 
the  astrologers  was  about  to  be  fullilled,  and  that 


132 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  downfall  of  the  kingdom  would  follow  the 
death  of  Boabdil ; while  all  declared,  that  had  he 
survived,  he  was  the  very  sovereign  calculated  to 
restore  the  realm  to  its  ancient  prosperity  and 
glory. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

How  Muley  Abul  Hassan  profited  by  the  Misfortunes  of  his 
son  Boabdil. 

N unfortunate  death  atones,  with  the 
world,  for  a multitude  of  errors.  While 
the  populace  thought  their  youthful 
monarch  had  perished  in  the  field,  nothing  could 
exceed  their  grief  for  his  loss,  and  their  adoration 
of  his  memory  : when,  however,  they  learnt  that 
he  was  still  alive,  and  had  surrendered  himself 
captive  to  the  Christians,  their  feelings  underwent 
an  instant  change.  They  decried  his  talents  as  a 
commander,  his  courage  as  a soldier ; they  railed 
at  his  expedition,  as  rash  and  ill-conducted ; and 
they  reviled  him  for  not  having  dared  to  die  on 
the  field  of  battle,  rather  than  surrender  to  the 
enemy. 

The  alfaquis,  as  usual,  mingled  with  the  popu- 
lace, and  artfully  guided  their  discontents.  Be- 
hold,’* exclaimed  they,  “ the  prediction  is  ac- 
complished, which  was  pronounced  at  the  birth 
of  Boabdil.  He  has  been  seated  on  the  throne, 
and  the  kingdom  has  suffered  downfall  and  dis- 
grace by  his  defeat  and  captivity.  Comfort  your- 
selves, O Moslems  ! The  evil  day  has  passed  by ; 
the  prophecy  is  fulfilled ; the  sceptre  which  has 


134 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


been  broken  in  the  feeble  hand  of  Boabdil,  is  des- 
tined to  resume  its  former  sway  in  the  vigorous 
grasp  of  Abul  Hassan.” 

The  people  were  struck  with  the  wisdom  of 
these  words  : they  rejoiced  that  the  baleful  pre- 
diction, which  had  so  long  hung  over  them,  was 
at  an  end  ; and  declared,  that  none  but  Muley 
Abul  Hassan  had  the  valor  and  capacity  necessary 
for  the  protection  of  the  kingdom,  in  this  time  of 
trouble. 

The  longer  the  captivity  of  Boabdil  continued, 
the  greater  grew  the  popularity  of  his  father. 
One  city  after  another  renewed  allegiance  to  him ; 
for  power  attracts  power,  and  fortune  creates 
fortune.  At  length  he  was  enabled  to  return  to 
Granada,  and  establish  himself  once  more  in  the 
Alhambra.  At  his  approach,  his  repudiated 
spouse,  the  sultana  Ayxa,  gathered  together  the 
family  and  treasures  of  her  captive  son,  and  re- 
tired, with  a handful  of  the  nobles,  into  the  Al- 
baycin,  the  rival  quarter  of  the  city,  the  inhab- 
itants of  which  still  retained  feelings  of  loyalty  to 
Boabdil.  Here  she  fortified  herself,  and  held  the 
semblance  of  a court  in  the  name  of  her  son. 
The  fierce  Muley  Abul  Hassan  would  have 
willingly  carried  fire  and  sword  into  this  factious 
quarter  of  the  capital ; but  he  dared  not  confide 
in  his  new  and  uncertain  popularity.  Many  of 
the  nobles  detested  him  for  his  past  cruelty  ; and 
a large  portion  of  the  soldiery,  besides  many  of 
the  people  of  his  own  party,  respected  the  virtues 
of  Ayxa  la  Horra,  and  pitied  the  misfortunes  of 
Boabdil. 


THE  SOVEREIGNS  OF  GRANADA  135 


Granada  therefore  presented  the  singular  spec- 
tacle of  two  sovereignties  within  the  same  city. 
The  old  king  fortified  himself  in  the  lofty  towers 
of  the  Alhambra,  as  much  against  his  own  subjects 
as  against  the  Christians  ; while  Ayxa,  with  the 
zeal  of  a mother’s  affection,  which  waxes  warmer 
and  warmer  towards  her  offspring  when  in  ad- 
versity, still  maintained  the  standard  of  Boabdil 
on  the  rival  fortress  of  the  Alcazaba,  and  kept 
his  powerful  faction  alive  within  the  walls  of  the 
Albaycin. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Captivity  of  Boabdil  el  Chico. 

HE  unfortunate  Boabdil  remained  a pris- 
oner closely  guarded,  but  treated  with 
great  deference  and  respect,  in  the  castle 
of  Lucena,  where  the  noblest  apartments  were 
appointed  for  his  abode.  From  the  towers  of  his 
prison,  he  beheld  the  town  below  filled  with 
armed  men  ; and  the  lofty  hill  on  which  it  was 
built,  girdled  by  massive  walls  and  ramparts,  on 
which  a vigilant  watch  was  maintained  night  and 
day.  The  mountains  around  were  studded  with 
watch-towers,  overlooking  the  lonely  roads  which 
led  to  Granada,  so  that  a turban  could  not  stir 
over  the  border  without  the  alarm  being  given, 
and  the  whole  country  put  on  the  alert.  Boabdil 
saw  that  there  was  no  hope  of  escape  from  such 
a fortress,  and  that  any  attempt  to  rescue  him 
would  be  equally  in  vain.  His  heart  was  filled 
with  anxiety,  as  he  thought  on  the  confusion  and 
ruin  which  his  captivity  must  cause  in  his  affairs ; 
while  sorrows  of  a softer  kind  overcame  his  for- 
titude, as  he  thought  on  the  evils  it  might  bring 
upon  his  family. 

A few  days  only  had  passed  away,  when  mis- 
sives arrived  from  the  Castilian  sovereigns.  Fer- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  BOABDIL. 


137 


dinand  had  been  transported  with  joy  at  hearing 
of  the  capture  of  the  Moorish  monarch,  seeing 
the  deep  and  politic  uses  that  might  be  made  of 
such  an  event ; but  the  magnanimous  spirit  of 
Isabella  was  filled  with  compassion  for  the  un- 
fortunate captive.  Their  messages  to  Boabdil 
were  full  of  sympathy  and  consolation,  breathing 
that  high  and  gentle  courtesy  which  dwells  in 
noble  minds. 

This  magnanimity  in  his  foe  cheered  the  de- 
jected spirit  of  the  captive  monarch.  Tell  my 
sovereigns,  the  king  and  queen,”  said  he  to  the 
messenger,  “ that  I cannot  be  unhappy,  being  in 
the  power  of  such  high  and  mighty  princes,  es- 
pecially since  they  partake  so  largely  of  that  grace 
and  goodness  which  Allah  bestows  upon  the  mon- 
archs  whom  he  greatly  loves.  Tell  them  further, 
that  I had  long  thought  of  submitting  myself  to 
their  sway,  to  receive  the  kingdom  of  Granada 
from  their  hands,  in  the  same  manner  that  my 
ancestor  received  it  from  king  John  II.,  father  to 
the  gracious  queen.  My  greatest  sorrow,  in  this 
my  captivity,  is,  that  I must  appear  to  do  that 
from  force,  which  I would  fain  have  done  from 
inclination.” 

In  the  mean  time,  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  finding 
the  faction  of  his  son  still  formidable  in  Granada, 
was  anxious  to  consolidate  his  power,  by  gaining 
possession  of  the  person  of  Boabdil.  For  this 
purpose  he  sent  an  embassy  to  the  Catholic  mon- 
archs,  offering  large  terms  for  the  ransom,  or 
rather  the  purchase  of  his  son ; proposing,  among 
other  conditions,  to  release  the  count  of  Cifuentes 


138 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


and  nine  other  of  his  most  distinguished  captives, 
and  to  enter  into  a treaty  of  confederacy  with  the 
sovereigns.  Neither  did  the  implacable  father 
make  any  scruple  of  testifying  his  indifference 
whether  his  son  w’ere  delivered  up  alive  or  dead, 
so  that  his  person  were  placed  assuredly  within 
his  power. 

The  humane  heart  of  Isabella  revolted  at  the 
idea  of  giving  up  the  unfortunate  prince  into  the 
hands  of  his  most  unnatural  and  inveterate 
enemy ; a disdainful  refusal  was  therefore  re- 
turned to  the  old  monarch,  whose  message  had 
been  couched  in  a vaunting  spirit.  He  was  in- 
formed that  the  Castilian  sovereigns  would  listen 
to  no  proposals  of  peace  from  Muley  Abul  Has- 
san,  until  he  should  lay  down  his  arms,  and  offer 
them  in  all  humility. 

Overtures  in  a different  spirit  were  made  by 
the  mother  of  Boabdil,  the  sultana  Ayxa  la  Horra, 
with  the  concurrence  of  the  party  which  still  re- 
mained faithful  to  him.  It  was  thereby  proposed, 
that  Mahomet  Abdallah,  otherwise  called  Boab- 
dil, should  hold  his  crown  as  vassal  to  the  Cas- 
tilian sovereigns,  paying  an  annual  tribute,  and 
releasing  seventy  Christian  captives  annually,  for 
five  years  ; that  he  should,  moreover,  pay  a large 
sum,  upon  the  spot,  for  his  ransom,  and  at  the 
same  time  give  freedom  to  four  hundred  Chris- 
tians to  be  chosen  by  the  king : that  he  should  also 
engage  to  be  always  ready  to  render  military  aid, 
and  should  come  to  the  Cortes,  or  assemblage  of 
nobles  and  distinguished  vassals  of  the  crown, 
whenever  summoned.  His  only  son,  and  the 


BOABDIL  TAKEN  TO  CORDOVA.  139 


Bons  of  twelve  distinguished  Moorish  houses,  were 
to  be  delivered  as  hostages. 

An  embassy,  composed  of  the  alcayde  Aben 
Comixa,  Muley  the  royal  standard-bearer,  and 
other  distinguished  cavaliers,  bore  this  proposition 
to  the  Spanish  Court  at  Cordova,  where  they 
were  received  by  King  Ferdinand.  Queen  Isa- 
bella was  absent  at  the  time.  He  was  anxious 
to  consult  her  in  so  momentous  an  affair ; or 
rather,  he  was  fearful  of  proceeding  too  precipi- 
tately, and  not  drawing  from  this  fortunate  event 
all  the  advantage  of  which  it  was  susceptible. 
Without  returning  any  reply,  therefore,  to  the 
mission,  he  ordered  that  the  captive  monarch 
should  be  brought  to  Cordova. 

The  alcayde  of  the  Donzeles  was  the  bearer 
of  this  mandate,  and  summoned  all  the  liidalgos 
of  Lucena  and  of  his  own  estates,  to  form  an 
honorable  escort  for  the  illustrious  prisoner.  In 
this  style  he  conducted  him  to  the  capital.  The 
cavaliers  and  authorities  of  Cordova  came  forth 
to  receive  the  captive  king  with  all  due  cere- 
mony ; and  especial  care  was  taken  to  prevent 
any  taunt  or  insult  from  the  multitude,  or  any- 
thing that  might  remind  him  of  his  humiliation. 
In  this  way  he  entered  the  once  proud  capital  of 
the  Abda’rahmans,  and  was  lodged  in  the  house 
of  the  king’s  major-domo.  Ferdinand,  however, 
declined  seeing  the  Moorish  monarch.  He  was 
still  undetermined  what  course  to  pursue,  — 
whether  to  retain  him  prisoner,  set  him  at  liberty 
on  ransom,  or  treat  him  with  politic  magnanimity  ; 
and  each  course  would  require  a different  kind 


140 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


of  reception.  Until  this  point  should  be  resolved, 
therefore,  he  gave  him  in  charge  to  Martin  de 
Alarcon,  alcayde  of  the  ancient  fortress  of  Por- 
cuna,  with  orders  to  guard  him  strictly,  but  to 
treat  him  with  the  distinction  and  deference  due 
unto  a prince.  These  commands  were  strictly 
obeyed  ; he  was  escorted,  as  before,  in  royal  state, 
to  the  fortress  which  was  to  form  his  prison ; and, 
with  the  exception  of  being  restrained  in  his  lib- 
erty, was  as  nobly  entertained  there  as  he  could 
have  been  in  his  regal  palace  at  Granada. 

In  the  mean  time,  Ferdinand  availed  himself 
of  this  critical  moment,  while  Granada  was  dis- 
tracted with  factions  and  dissensions,  and  before 
he  had  concluded  any  treaty  with  Boabdil,  to 
make  a puissant  and  ostentatious  inroad  into  the 
very  heart  of  the  kingdom,  at  the  head  of  his 
most  illustrious  nobles.  He  sacked  and  destroyed 
several  towns  and  castles,  and  extended  his  rav- 
ages to  the  very  gates  of  Granada.  Muley  Abul 
Hassan  did  not  venture  to  oppose  him.  His  city 
was  filled  with  troops,  but  he  was  uncertain  of 
their  affection.  He  dreaded  that,  should  he  sally 
forth,  the  gates  of  Granada  might  be  closed 
against  him  by  the  faction  of  the  Albaycin. 

The  old  Moor  stood  on  the  lofty  tower  of  the 
Alhambra  (says  Antonio  Agapida),  grinding  his 
teeth,  and  foaming  like  a tiger  shut  up  in  his 
cage,  as  he  beheld  the  glittering  battalions  of  the 
Christians  wheeling  about  the  vega,  and  the  stan- 
dard of  the  cross  shining  forth  from  among  the 
smoke  of  infidel  villages  and  hamlets.  The  most 
Catholic  king  (continues  Agapida)  would  gladly 


FERDINAND  RAVAGES  GRANADA.  141 


have  continued  this  righteous  ravage,  but  his 
munitions  began  to  fail.  Satisfied,  therefore, 
with  having  laid  waste  the  country  of  the  enemy, 
and  insulted  Muley  Abul  Hassan  in  his  very  cap- 
ital, he  returned  to  Cordova  covered  with  laurels, 
and  his  army  laden  with  spoils  ; and  now  be- 
thought himself  of  coming  to  an  immediate  decis- 
ion, in  regard  to  his  royal  prisoner. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


Of  the  Treatment  of  Boabdil  by  the  Castilian  Sovereigns. 


STATELY  convention  was  held  by 
king  Ferdinand  in  the  ancient  city  of 
Cordova,  composed  of  several  of  the  most 
reverend  prelates  and  renowned  cavaliers  of  the 
kingdom,  to  determine  upon  the  fate  of  the  unfor- 
tunate Boabdil. 

Don  Alonza  de  Cardenas,  the  worthy  master 
of  Santiago,  was  one  of  the  first  who  gave  his 
counsel.  He  was  a pious  and  zealous  knight, 
rigid  in  his  devotion  to  the  faith  ; and  his  holy 
zeal  had  been  inflamed  to  peculiar  vehemence, 
since  his  disastrous  crusade  among  the  mountains 
of  Malaga.  He  inveighed  with  ardor  against 
any  compromise  or  compact  with  the  infidels  ; 
the  object  of  this  war,  he  observed,  was  not  the 
subjection  of  the  Moors,  but  their  utter  expulsion 
from  the  land  ; so  that  there  might  no  longer  re- 
main a single  stain  of  Mahometanism  throughout 
Christian  Spain.  He  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  there- 
fore, that  the  captive  king  ought  not  to  be  set  at 
liberty. 

Boderigo  Ponce  de  Leon,  marques  of  Cadiz, 
on  the  contrary,  spoke  warmly  for  the  release  of 
Boabdil.  He  pronounced  it  a measure  of  sound 


TREATMENT  OF  BOABDIL. 


143 


policy,  even  if  done  without  conditions.  It  would 
tend  to  keep  up  the  civil  war  in  Granada,  which 
was  as  a fire  consuming  the  entrails  of  the  enemy, 
and  effecting  more  for  the  interests  of  Spain, 
without  expense,  than  all  the  conquests  of  its 
arms. 

The  grand  cardinal  of  Spain,  Don  Pedro 
Gonzalez  de  Mendoza,  coincided  in  opinion  with 
the  marques  of  Cadiz.  Nay  (added  that  pious 
prelate  and  politic  statesman),  it  would  be  sound 
wisdom  to  furnish  the  Moor  with  men  and  money, 
and  all  other  necessaries,  to  promote  the  civil  war 
in  Granada : by  this  means  would  be  produced 
great  benefit  to  the  service  of  God,  since  we  are 
assured  by  his  infallible  word,  that  “ a kingdom 
divided  against  itself  cannot  stand.”  ^ 

Ferdinand  weighed  these  counsels  in  his  mind, 
but  was  slow  in  coming  to  a decision  ; he  was 
religiously  attentive  to  his  own  interests  (observes 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida),  knowing  himself  to  be 
but  an  instrument  of  Providence  in  this  holy  war, 
and  that,  therefore,  in  consulting  his  own  advan- 
tage he  was  promoting  the  interests  of  the  faith. 
The  opinion  of  queen  Isabella  relieved  him  from 
his  perplexity.  That  high-minded  princess  was 
zealous  for  the  promotion  of  the  faith,  but  not  for 
the  extermination  of  the  infidels.  The  Moorish 
kings  had  held  their  thrones  as  vassals  to.  her 
progenitors  ; she  was  content  at  present  to  accord 
the  same  privilege,  and  that  the  royal  prisoner 
should  be  liberated  on  condition  of  becoming  a 
vassal  to  the  crown.  By  this  means  might  be  ef* 
1 Salazar.  Cronica  del  Gran  Cardinal^  p.  188. 


144 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


fected  the  deliverance  of  many  Christian  captives, 
who  were  languishing  in  Moorish  chains. 

King  Ferdinand  adopted  the  magnanimous 
measure  recommended  by  the  queen  ; but  he  ac- 
companied it  with  several  shrewd  conditions;  ex- 
acting tribute,  military  services,  and  safe  passages 
and  maintenance  for  Christian  troops,  throughout 
the  places  which  should  adhere  to  Boabdil.  The 
captive  king  readily  submitted  to  these  stipula- 
tions, and  swore,  after  the  manner  of  his  faith,  to 
observe  them  with  exactitude.  A truce  was  ar- 
ranged for  two  years,  during  which  the  Castilian 
sovereigns  engaged  to  maintain  him  on  his  throne, 
and  to  assist  him  in  recovering  all  places  which 
he  had  lost  during  his  captivity. 

When  Boabdil  el  Chico  had  solemnly  agreed  to 
this  arrangement,  in  the  castle  of  Porcuna,  prep- 
arations were  made  to  receive  him  in  Cordova 
in  regal  style.  Superb  steeds  richly  caparisoned, 
and  raiments  of  brocade,  and  silk,  and  the  most 
costly  cloths,  with  all  other  articles  of  sumptuous 
array,  were  furnished  to  him  and  to  fifty  Moorish 
cavaliers,  who  had  come  to  treat  for  his  ransom, 
that  he  might  appear  in  state  befitting  the  mon- 
arch of  Granada,  and  the  most  distinguished  vas- 
sal of  the  Castilian  sovereigns.  Money  was  also 
advanced  to  maintain  him  in  suitable  grandeur,- 
during  his  residence  at  the  Castilian  court,  and 
his  return  to  his  dominions.  Finally,  it  was  or- 
dered by  the  sovereigns,  that  when  he  came  to 
Cordova,  all  the  nobles  and  dignitaries  of  the 
court  should  go  forth  to  receive  him. 

A question  now  arose  among  certain  of  those 


BOABDIL  A VASSAL. 


145 


ancient  and  experienced  men,  who  grow  gray 
about  a court  in  the  profound  study  of  forms  and 
ceremonials,  with  whom  a point  of  punctilio  is  as 
a vast  political  right,  and  who  contract  a sublime 
and  awful  idea  of  the  external  dignity  of  the 
throne.  Certain  of  these  court  sages  propounded 
the  momentous  question,  whether  the  Moorish 
monarch,  coming  to  do  homage  as  a vassal,  ought 
not  to  kneel  and  kiss  the  hand  of  the  king. 
This  was  immediately  decided  in  the  affirmative, 
by  a large  number  of  ancient  cavaliers,  accus- 
tomed (says  Antonio  Agapida)  to  the  lofty  punc- 
tilio of  our  most  dignified  court  and  transcendent 
sovereigns.  The  king,  therefore,  was  informed 
by  those  who  arranged  the  ceremonials,  that 
when  the  Moorish  king  appeared  in  his  presence, 
he  was  expected  to  extend  his  royal  hand  to  re- 
ceive the  kiss  of  homage. 

“ I should  certainly  do  so,”  replied  king  Fer- 
dinand, “ were  he  at  liberty,  and  in  his  own  king- 
dom ; but  I certainly  shall  not  do  so,  seeing  that 
he  is  a prisoner  and  in  mine.” 

The  courtiers  loudly  applauded  the  magna- 
nimity of  this  reply ; though  many  condemned  it 
in  secret,  as  savoring  of  too  much  generosity 
towards  an  infidel ; and  the  worthy  Jesuit,  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida,  fully  concurs  in  their  opinion. 

The  Moorish  king  entered  Cordova  with  his 
little  train  of  faithful  knights,  and  escorted  by 
all  the  nobility  and  chivalry  of  the  Castilian 
court.  He  was  conducted,  with  great  state  and 
ceremony,  to  the  royal  palace.  When  he  came 
in  presence  of  Ferdinand,  he  knelt  and  offered  to 
10 


146 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


kiss  his  hand,  not  merely  in  homage  as  liis  sub- 
ject, but  in  gratitude  for  his  liberty.  Ferdinand 
declined  the  token  of  vassalage,  and  raised  him 
graciously  from  the  earth.  An  interpreter  began, 
in  the  name  of  Boabdil,  to  laud  the  magnanimity 
of  the  Castilian  monarch,  and  to  promise  the 
most  implicit  submission.  ‘‘  Enough,”  said  king 
Ferdinand,  interrupting  the  interpreter  in  the 
midst  of  his  harangue : “ there  is  no  need  of 
these  compliments.  I trust  in  his  integrity,  that 
he  will  do  everything  becoming  a good  man  and 
a good  king.’’  With  these  words  he  received 
Boabdil  el  Chico  into  his  royal  friendship  and' 
protection. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

Return  of  Boabdil  from  Captivity. 

N the  month  of  August,  a noble  Moor 
of  the  race  of  the  Abencerrages,  arrived 
with  a splendid  retinue  at  the  city  of 
Cordova,  brino^insr  with  him  the  son  of  Boabdil  el 
Chico,  and  other  of  the  noble  youth  of  Granada, 
as  hostages  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  terms  of  ran- 
som. When  the  Moorish  king  beheld  his  son, 
his  only  child,  who  was  to  remain  in  his  stead,  a 
sort  of  captive  in  a hostile  land,  he  folded  him  in 
his  arms  and  wept  over  him.  “ Woe  the  day 
that  I was  born  ! ” exclaimed  he,  and  evil  the 
stars  that  presided  at  my  birth ! Well  was  I 

called  El  Zogoybi,  or  the  Unlucky ; for  sorrow  is 
heaped  upon  me  by  my  father,  and  sorrow  do  I 
transmit  to  my  son ! ’’  The  afflicted  heart  of 
Boabdil,  however,  was  soothed  by  the  kindness  of 
the  Christian  sovereigns,  who  received  the  hostage 
prince  with  a tenderness  suited  to  his  age,  and  a 
distinction  worthy  of  his  rank.  They  delivered 
him  in  charge  to  the  worthy  alcayde  Martin  de 
Alarcon,  who  had  treated  his  father  with  such 
courtesy  during  his  confinement  in  the  castle  of  Por- 
cuna,  giving  orders,  that,  after  the  departure  of  the 
latter,  his  son  should  be  entertained,  with  great 
honor  and  princely  attention,  in  the  same  fortress. 


148 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


On  the  2(1  of  September,  a guard  of  honor  as- 
sembled at  the  gate  of  the  mansion  of  Boabdil,  to 
escort  him  to  the  frontiers  of  his  kingdom.  He 
pressed  his  child  to  his  heart  at  parting,  but  he 
uttered  not  a word ; for  there  were  many  Chris- 
tian eyes,  to  behold  his  emotion.  He  mounted 
his  steed,  and  never  turned  his  head  to  look  again 
upon  the  youth;  but  those  who  were  near  him 
observed  the  vehement  struggle  that  shook  his 
frame,  wherein  the  anguish  of  the  father  had  well 
nigh  subdued  the  studied  equanimity  of  the  king. 

Boabdil  el  Chico  and  king  Ferdinand  sallied 
forth,  side  by  side,  from  Cordova,  amidst  the  ac- 
clamations of  a prodigious  multitude.  When  they 
were  a short  distance  from  the  city,  they  sepa- 
rated, with  many  gracious  expressions  on  the  part 
of  the  Castilian  monarch,  and  many  thankful  ac- 
knowledgments from  his  late  captive,  whose  heart 
had  been  humbled  by  adversity.  Ferdinand  de- 
parted for  Guadalupe,  and  Boabdil  for  Granada. 
The  latter  was  accompanied  by  a guard  of  honor ; 
and  the  viceroys  of  Andalusia,  and  the  generals  on 
the  frontier,  were  ordered  to  furnish  him  with  es- 
corts, arid  to  show  him  all  possible  honor  on  his 
journey.  In  this  way  he  was  conducted  in  royal 
state  through  the  country  he  had  entered  to  rav- 
age, and  was  placed  in  safety  in  his  own  domin- 
ions. 

He  was  met  on  the  frontier  by  the  principal 
nobles  and  cavaliers  of  his  court,  who  had  been 
secretly  sent  by  his  mother,  the  sultana  Ayxa,  to 
escort  him  to  the  capital.  The  heart  of  Boabdil 
was  lifted  up  for  a moment,  when  he  found  him- 


B0ABDW8  RETURN  FROM  CAPTIVITY.  149 


gelf  on  his  own  territories,  surrounded  by  Moslem 
knights,  with  his  own  banners  waving  over  his 
head  ; and  he  began  to  doubt  the  prediction  of 
the  astrologers  : he  soon  found  cause,  however,  to 
moderate  his  exultation.  The  royal  train  w^hich 
had  come  to  welcome  him,  was  but  scanty  in  num- 
ber, and  he  missed  many  of  his  most  zealous  and 
obsequious  courtiers.  He  had  returned,  indeed,  to 
his  kingdom,  but  it  was  no  longer  the  devoted  king- 
dom he  had  left.  The  story  of  his  vassalage  to  the 
Christian  sovereigns  had  been  made  use  of  by  his 
father  to  ruin  him  with  the  people.  He  had  been 
represented  as  a traitor  to  his  country,  a renegado 
to  his  faith,  and  as  leagued  with  the  enemies  of 
both,  to  subdue  the  Moslems  of  Spain  to  the  yoke 
of  Christian  bondage.  In  this  way  the  mind  of 
the  public  had  been  turned  from  him  ; the  greater 
part  of  the  nobility  had  thronged  round  the  throne 
of  his  father  in  the  Alhambra ; and  his  mother, 
the  resolute  sultana  Ayxa,  with  difficulty  main- 
tained her  faction  in  the  opposite  towers  of  the 
Alcazaba. 

Such  was  the  melancholy  picture  of  affairs  given 
to  Boabdil  by  the  courtiers  who  had  come  forth  to 
meet  him.  They  even  informed  him  that  it  would 
be  an  enterprise  of  difficulty  and  danger  to  make 
his  way  back  to  the  capital,  and  regain  the  little 
court  which  still  remained  faithful  to  him  in  the 
heart  of  the  city.  The  old  tiger,  Muley  Abul 
Hassan,  lay  couched  within  the  Alhambra,  and  the 
walls  and  gates  of  the  city  were  strongly  guarded 
by  his  troops.  Boabdil  shook  his  head,  at  these 
tidings.  He  called  to  mind  the  ill  omen  of  his 


150 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


breaking  his  lance  against  the  gate  of  Elvira, 
when  issuing  forth  so  vaingloriously  with  his  army, 
which  he  now  saw  clearly  had  foreboded  the  de- 
struction of  that  army  on  which  he  had  so  confi- 
dently relied.  “ Henceforth,’-  said  he,  “ let  no  man 
have  the  impiety  to  scoff  at  omens.” 

Boabdil  approached  his  capital  by  stealth,  and 
in  the  night,  prowling  about  its  walls  like  an  en- 
emy seeking  to  destroy,  rather  than  a monarch 
returning  to  his  throne.  At  length  he  seized  upon 
a postern-gate  of  the  Albaycin — that  part  of  the 
city  which  had  always  been  in  his  favor ; he 
passed  rapidly  through  the  streets  before  the  pop- 
ulace were  aroused  from  their  sleep,  and  reached 
in  safety  the  fortress  of  the  Alcazaba.  Here  he 
was  received  into  the  embraces  of  his  intrepid 
mother,  and  his  favorite  wife  Morayma.  The 
transports  of  the  latter,  on  the  safe  return  of  her 
husband,  were  mingled  with  tears  ; for  she  thought 
of  her  father,  Ali  Atar,  who  had  fallen  in  his 
cause,  and  of  her  only  son,  who  was  left  a hostage 
in  the  hand  of  the  Christians. 

The  heart  of  Boabdil,  softened  by  his  misfor- 
tunes, was  moved  by  the  changes  in  everything 
round  him  ; but  his  mother  called  up  his  spirits. 

This,”  said  she,  “ is  no  time  for  tears  and  fond- 
ness. A king  must  think  of  his  sceptre  and  his 
throne,  and  not  yield  to  softness  like  common  men. 
Thou  hast  done  w(dl,  my  son,  in  throwing  thyself 
resolutely  into  Granada : it  must  depend  upon  thy- 
self whether  thou  remain  here  a king  or  a captive.” 
The  old  king,  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  had  retired 
to  his  couch  that  night,  in  one  of  the  strongest  tow- 


BOABDIL  IN  GRANADA. 


151 


ers  of  the  Alhambra ; but  his  restless  anxiety  kept 
him  from  repose.  In  the  first  watch  of  the  night, 
he  heard  a shout  faintly  rising  from  the  quarter 
of  the  Albaycin,  which  is  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  dark  valley  of  the  Darro.  Shortly  afterwards, 
horsemen  came  galloping  up  the  hill  that  leads  to 
the  main  gate  of  the  Alhambra,  spreading  the  alarm 
that  Boabdil  had  entered  the  city  and  possessed 
himself  of  the  Alcazaba. 

In  the  first  transports  of  his  rage,  the  old  king 
would  have  struck  the  messenger  to  eartli.  He 
hastily  summoned  his  counselors  and  commanders, 
exhorting  them  to  stand  by  him  in  this  critical  mo- 
ment; and,  during  the  night,  made  every  prepar- 
ation to  enter  the  Albaycin  sword  in  hand  in  the 
morning. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  sultana  Ayxa  had  taken 
prompt  and  vigorous  measures  to  strengthen  her 
party.  The  Albaycin  was  the  part  of  the  city 
filled  by  the  lower  orders  The  return  of  Boabdil 
was  proclaimed  throughout  the  streets,  and  large 
sums  of  money  were  distributed  among  the  popu- 
lace. The  nobles,  assembled  in  the  Alcazaba, 
were  promised  honors  and  rewards  by  Boabdil,  as 
soon  as  he  should  be  firmly  seated  on  the  throne. 
These  well-timed  measures  had  the  customary  ef- 
fect ; and,  by  daybreak,  all  the  motley  populace  of 
the  Albaycin  were  in  arms. 

A doleful  day  succeeded.  All  Granada  was  a 
scene  of  tumult  and  horror.  Drums  and  trumpets 
resounded  in  every  part  ; all  business  was  inter- 
rupted ; the  shops  were  shut,  the  doors  barri- 
cadoed.  Armed  bands  paraded  the  streets,  some 


152 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Bhoiiting  for  Boabdil,  and  some  for  Muley  Abul 
Hassan.  When  they  encountered  each  other, 
they  fought  furiously  and  without  mercy  ; ev^ery 
public  square  became  a scene  of  battle.  The 
great  mass  of  the  lower  orders  was  in  favor  of 
Boabdil,  but  it  was  a multitude  without  discipline 
or  lofty  spirit;  part  of  the  people  were  regularly 
armed,  but  the  greater  number  had  sallied  forth 
with  the  implements  of  their  trade.  The  troops 
of  the  old  king,  among  whom  were  many  cava- 
liers of  pride  and  valor,  soon  drove  the  populace 
from  the  squares.  They  fortified  themselves, 
however,  in  the  streets  and  lanes,  which  they 
barricadoed.  They  made  fortresses  of  their 
houses,  and  fought  desperately  from  the  windows 
and  the  roofs,  and  many  a warrior  of  the  highest 
blood  of  Granada  was  laid  low  by  plebeian  hands 
and  plebeian  weapons  in  this  civic  brawl.^ 

It  was  impossible  that  such  violent  convulsions 
should  last  long,  in  the  heart  of  a city.  The 
people  soon  long  for  repose,  and  a return  to  their 
peaceful  occupations  ; and  the  cavaliers  detested 
these  conflicts  with  the  multitude,  in  which  were 
all  the  horrors  of  war  without  its  laurels.  By  the 
interference  of  the  alfaquis,  an  armistice  was  at 
length  effected.  Boabdil  was  persuaded  that 
there  was  no  dependence  upon  the  inconstant 
favor  of  the  multitude,  and  was  prevailed  upon  to 
quit  a capital  where  he  could  only  maintain  a 
precarious  seat  upon  his  throne  by  a perpetual 
and  bloody  struggle.  He  fixed  his  court  at  the 
«ity  of  Almeria,  which  was  entirely  devoted  to 
} Cond^.  Domin  de  los  Arabes.^  p.  4.  c.  87 


BOABDIL  DRIVEN  FROM  GRANADA.  153 


him,  and  which,  at  that  time  vied  with  Granada 
in  splendor  and  importance.  This  compromise  of 
grandeur  for  tranquillity,  however,  was  sorely 
against  the  counsels  of  his  proud-spirited  mother, 
the  sultana  Ayxa.  Granada  appeared,  in  her 
eyes,  the  only  legitimate  seat  of  dominion  ; and 
she  observed,  with  a smile  of  disdain,  that  he  was 
not  worthy  of  being  called  a monarch,  who  was 
not  master  of  his  capital. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Foray  of  the  Moorish  Alcaydes,  and  Battle  of  Lopera. 

HOUGH  Muley  Abiil  Hassan  had  re- 
gained undivided  sway  over  the  city  of 
Granada,  and  the  alfaquis,  by  his  com- 
mand, had  denounced  his  son  Boabdil  as  an 
apostate,  doomed  by  Heaven  to  misfortune,  still 
the  latter  had  many  adherents  among  the  com- 
mon people.  Whenever,  therefore,  any  act  of  the 
old  monarch  was  displeasing  to  the  turbulent 
multitude,  they  were  prone  to  give  him  a hint 
of  the  slippery  nature  of  his  standing  by  shout- 
ing out  the  name  of  Boabdil  el  Chico.  Long  ex- 
perience had  instructed  Muley  Abul  Hassan  in 
the  character  of  the  inconstant  people  over  whom 
he  ruled.  ‘‘  A successful  inroad  into  the  country 
of  the  unbelievers,”  said  he,  “ will  make  more 
converts  to  my  cause  than  a thousand  texts  of  the 
Koran,  expounded  by  ten  thousand  alfaquis.” 

At  this  time  king  Ferdinand  was  absent  from 
Andalusia  on  a distant  expedition,  with  many  of 
his  troops.  The  moment  was  favorable  for  a 
foray,  and  Muley  Abul  Hassan  cast  about  his 
thoughts  for  a leader  to  conduct  it.  Ali  Atar, 
the  terror  of  the  border,  the  scourge  of  Andalusia, 
was  dead  ; but  there  was  another  veteran  general, 
scarce  infei'ior  to  him  for  predatory  warfare.  This 


MOORISH  FORAY, 


155 


was  old  Bexir,  the  gray  and  crafty  alcayde  of 
Malaga  ; and  the  people  under  his  command  were 
ripe  for  an  expedition  of  the  kind.  The  signal 
defeat  and  slaughter  of  the  Spanish  knights  in  the 
neighboring  mountains  had  filled  the  people  of 
Malaga  with  vanity  and  self-conceit.  They  had 
attributed  to  their  own  valor  the  defeat  caused  by 
the  nature  of  the  country.  Many  of  them  wore 
the  armor  and  paraded  in  public  with  the  horses 
of  the  unfortunate  cavaliers  slain  on  that  occasion, 
vauntingly  displaying  them  as  trophies  of  their 
boasted  victory.  They  had  talked  themselves 
into  a contempt  for  the  chivalry  of  Andalusia,  and 
were  impatient  for  an  opportunity  to  overrun  a 
country  defended  by  such  troops.  This,  Muley 
Abul  Hassan  considered  a favorable  state  of  mind 
for  a daring  inroad,  and  sent  orders  to  old  Bexir 
to  gather  together  the  choicest  warriors  of  the 
borders,  and  carry  fire  and  sword  into  the  very 
heart  of  Andalusia.  Bexir  immediately  dis- 
patched his  emissaries  among  the  alcaydes  of  the 
border  towns,  calling  upon  them  to  assemble  with 
their  troops  at  the  city  of  Bonda. 

Ronda  was  the  most  virulent  nest  of  Moorish 
depredators  in  the  whole  border  country.  It  was 
situated  in  the  midst  of  the  wild  Serrania,  or  chain 
of  mountains  of  the  same  name,  which  are 
uncommonly  lofty,  broken,  and  precipitous.  It 
stood  on  an  almost  isolated  rock,  nearly  encircled 
by  a deep  valley,  or  rather  chasm,  through  which 
ran  the  beautiful  river  called  Rio  Verde.  The 
Moors  of  this  city  were  the  most  active,  robust, 
and  warlike  of  all  the  mountaineers,  and  their 


156 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


very  children  discharged  the  crossbow  with  uner- 
ring aim.  They  were  incessantly  harassing  the 
rich  plains  of’ Andalusia  ; their  city  abounded  with 
Christian  captives,  who  might  sigh  in  vain  for 
deliverance  from  this  impregnable  fortress.  Such 
was  Ronda  in  the  time  of  the  Moors ; and  it  has 
ever  retained  something  of  the  same  character, 
even  to  the  present  day.  Its  inhabitants  continue 
to  be  among  the  boldest,  fiercest,  and  most  adven- 
turous of  the  Andalusian  mountaineers  ; and  the 
Serrania  de  Ronda  is  famous  as  the  most  danger- 
ous resort  of  the  bandit  and  the  contrabandista. 

Hamet  Zeli,  surnamed  El  Zegri,  was  the  com- 
mander of  this  belligerent  city  and  its  fierce 
inhabitants.  He  was  of  the  tribe  of  the  Zegries, 
and  one  of  the  most  proud  and  daring  of  that 
warlike  race.  Beside  the  inhabitants  of  Ronda 
and  some  of  his  own  tribe,  he  had  a legion  of 
African  Moors  in  his  immediate  service.  They 
were  of  the  tribe  of  the  Gomeres,  so  called  from 
their  native  mountains,  mercenary  troops,  whose 
hot  African  blood  had  not  yet  been  tempered  by 
the  softer  living  of  Spain,  and  whose  whole  busi- 
ness was  to  fight.  These  he  kept  always  well 
armed  and  well  appointed.  The  rich  pasturage 
of  the  Valley  of  Ronda  produced  a breed  of  horses 
famous  for  strength  and  speed  ; no  cavalry,  there- 
fore, was  better  mounted  than  the  band  of 
Gomeres.  Rapid  on  the  march,  fierce  in  the 
attack,  it  would  sweep  down  upon  the  Andalusian 
plains  like  a sudden  blast  from  the  mountains, 
and  pass  away  as  suddenly,  before  there  was  time 
for  pursuit. 


MOORISH  FORAY, 


157 


There  was  nothing  that  stirred  up  the  spirit  of 
the  Moors  of  the  frontiers  more  thoroughly  than 
the  idea  of  a foray.  The  summons  of  Bexir  was 
gladly  obeyed  by  the  alcaydes  of  the  border 
towns,  and  in  a little  while  there  was  a force  of 
fifteen  hundred  horse  and  four  thousand  foot,  the 
very  pith  and  marrow  of  the  surrounding  country, 
assembled  within  the  walls  of  Honda.  The  peo- 
ple of  the  place  anticipated  with  eagerness  the 
rich  spoils  of  Andalusia,  soon  to  crowd  their 
gates  ; throughout  the  day,  the  city  resounded 
with  the  noise  of  kettle-drum  and  trumpet  ; the 
high-mettled  steeds  stamped  and  neighed  in  their 
stalls,  as  if  they  shared  the  impatience  for  the 
foray  ; while  the  Christian  captives  sighed,  as  the 
varied  din  of  preparation  reached  their  rocky 
dungeons,  denoting  a fresh  expedition  against 
their  countrymen. 

The  infidel  host  sallied  forth  full  of  spirits, 
anticipating  an  easy  ravage  and  abundant  booty. 
They  encouraged  each  other  in  a contempt  for 
the  prowess  of  the  foe.  Many  of  the  warriors  of 
Malaga,  and  of  some  of  the  mountain  towns,  had 
insultingly  arrayed  themselves  in  the  ‘ splendid 
armor  of  the  Christian  knights  slain  or  taken 
prisoners  in  the  famous  massacre,  and  some  of 
them  rode  the  Andalusian  steeds  captured  on  that 
occasion. 

The  wary  Bexir  concerted  his  plans  so  secretly 
and  expeditiously,  that  the  Christian  towns  of 
Andalusia  had  not  the  least  suspicion  of  the  storm 
gathering  beyond  the  mountains.  The  vast  and 
rocky  range  of  the  Serrania  de  Honda  extended 


158 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


like  a screen,  covering  all  their  movements  from 
observation. 

The  army  made  its  way  as  rapidly  as  the 
rugged  nature  of  the  mountains  would  permit, 
guided  by  Hamet  el  Zegri,  the  bold  alcayde  of 
Ronda,  who  knew  every  pass  and  defile : not  a 
drum,  nor  the  clash  of  a cymbal,  nor  the  blast  of 
a trumpet,  was  permitted  to  be  heard.  The 
mass  of  war  rolled  quietly  on  as  the  gathering 
cloud  to  the  brow  of  the  mountains,  intending  to 
burst  down  like  the  thunderbolt  upon  the  plain. 

Never  let  the  most  wary  commander  fancy 
himself  secure  from  discovery ; for  rocks  have 
eyes,  and  trees  have  ears,  and  the  birds  of  the  air 
have  tongues,  to  betray  the  most  secret  enterprise. 
There  chanced  at  this  time  to  be  six  Christian 
scouts,  prowling  about  the  savage  heights  of  the 
Serrania  de  Ronda.  They  were  of  that  kind  of 
lawless  ruffians  who  infest  the  borders  of  bellig- 
erent countries,  ready  at  any  time  to  fight  for 
pay,  or  prowl  for  plunder.  The  wild  mountain 
passes  of  Spain  have  ever  abounded  with  loose 
rambling  vagabonds  of  the  kind  — soldiers  in 
war,  robbers  in  peace  ; guides,  guards,  smugglers, 
or  cut-throats,  according  to  the  circumstances  of 
the  case. 

These  six  marauders  (says  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida)  were  on  this  occasion  chosen  instru- 
ments, sanctified  by  the  righteousness  of  their 
cause.  They  were  lurking  among  the  mountains, 
to  entrap  Moorish  cattle  or  Moorish  prisoners, 
both  of  which  were  equally  saleable  in  the  Chris- 
tian market.  They  had  ascended  one  of  the 


PUERTO  CARRERO, 


159 


loftiest  clifls,  and  were  looking  out  like  birds  of 
prey,  ready  to  pounce  upon  anything  that  might 
offer  in  the  valley,  when  they  descried  the  Moorish 
army  emerging  from  a mountain  glen.  They 
watched  it  as  it  wound  below  them,  remarking 
the  standards  of  the  various  towns  and  the 
pennons  of  the  commanders.  They  hovered 
about  it  on  its  march,  skulking  from  cliff  to  cliff, 
until  they  saw  the  route  by  which  it  intended  to 
enter  the  Christian  country.  They  then  dis- 
persed, each  making  his  way  by  the  secret  passes 
of  the  mountains  to  some  different  alcayde,  that 
they  might  spread  the  alarm  far  and  wide,  and 
each  get  a separate  reward. 

One  hastened  to  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto  Car- 
rero,  the  same  valiant  alcayde  who  had  repulsed 
Muley  Abul  Hassan  from  the  walls  of  Alhama, 
and  who  now  commanded  at  Ecija,  in  the  absence 
of  the  master  of  Santiago.  Others  roused  the 
town  of  Utrera,  and  the  places  of  that  neighbor- 
hood, putting  them  all  on  the  alert.^ 

Puerto  Carrero  was  a cavalier  of  consummate 
vigor  and  activity.  He  immediately  sent  cou- 
riers to  the  alcaydes  of  the  neighboring  fortresses ; 
to  Herman  Carrello,  captain  of  a body  of  the 
Holy  Brotherhood,  and  to  certain  knights  of  the 
order  of  Alcantara.  Puerto  Carrero  was  the 
first  to  take  the  held.  Knowing  the  hard  and 
hungry  service  of  these  border  scampers,  he 
made  every  man  take  a hearty  repast,  and  see 
that  his  horse  was  well  shod  and  perfectly  ap- 
pointed. Then  all  being  refreshed  and  in  valiant 
1 Pulgar,  p.  3,  c.  24.  Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  67. 


160 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


heart,  he  sallied  forth  to  seek  the  Moors.  He 
had  but  a handful  of  men,  the  retainers  of  his 
household  and  troops  of  his  captaincy  ; but  they 
were  well  armed  and  mounted,  and  accustomed 
to  the  rouses  of  the  border  ; men  whom  the  cry 
of  Arm  and  out ! to  horse  and  to  the  field  ! ’’ 
was  sufficient  at  any  time  to  put  in  a fever  of 
animation. 

While  the  northern  part  of  Andalusia  was 
thus  on  the  alert,  one  of  the  scouts  had  hastened 
southward  to  the  city  of  Xeres,  and  given  the 
alarm  to  the  valiant  marques  of  Cadiz.  When 
the  marques  heard  that  the  Moor  was  over  the 
border,  and  that  the  standard  of  Malaga  was  in 
the  advance,  his  heart  bounded  with  a momentary 
joy ; for  he  remembered  the  massacre  in  the 
mountains,  where  his  valiant  brothers  had  been 
mangled  before  his  eyes.  The  very  authors  of 
his  calamity  were  now  at  hand,  and  he  flattered 
himself  that  the  day  of  vengeance  had  arrived. 
He  made  a hasty  levy  of  his  retainers  and  of  the 
fighting  men  of  Xeres,  and  hurried  off  with  three 
hundred  horse  and  two  hundred  foot,  all  resolute 
men  and  panting  for  revenge. 

In  the  mean  time  the  veteran  Bexir  had  ac- 
complished his  march,  as  he  imagined,  undiscov- 
ered. From  the  openings  of  the  craggy  defiles, 
he  pointed  out  the  fertile  plains  of  Andalusia,  and 
regaled  the  eyes  of  his  soldiery  with  the  rich 
country  they  were  about  to  ravage.  The  fierce 
Gomeres  of  Ronda  were  flushed  with  joy  at  the 
sight ; and  even  their  steeds  seemed  to  prick  up 
their  ears  and  snuff  the  breeze,  as  they  beheld 
the  scenes  of  their  frequent  forays. 


BE  KIR'S  FORAY, 


161 


When  they  came  to  where  the  mountain  defile 
opened  into  the  low  land,  Bexir  divided  his  force 
into  three  parts  : one  composed  of  foot-soldiers  and 
such  as  were  weakly  mounted,  he  left  to  guard 
the  pass,  being  too  experienced  a veteran  not  to 
know  the  importance  of  securing  a retreat ; a 
second  body  he  placed  in  ambush,  among  the 
groves  and  thickets  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
Lopera  ; the  third,  consisting  of  light  cavalry,  he 
sent  forth  to  ravage  the  Campiha,  or  great  plain 
of  Utrera.  Most  of  this  latter  force  was  com- 
posed of  the  Gomeres  of  Ronda,  mounted  on  the 
fleet  steeds  bred  among  the  mountains.  It  was 
led  by  Hamet  el  Zegri,  ever  eager  to  be  foremost 
in  the  forage.  Little  suspecting  that  the  country 
on  both  sides  was  on  the  alarm,  and  rushing  from 
all  directions  to  close  upon  them  in  the  rear,  this 
fiery  troop  dashed  forward  until  they  came  within 
two  leagues  of  Utrera.  Here  they  scattered 
themselves  about  the  plain,  careering  round  the 
great  herds  of  cattle  and  flocks  of  sheep,  and 
sweeping  them  into  droves,  to  be  hurried  to  the 
mountains. 

While  thus  dispersed,  a troop  of  horse  and  body 
of  foot  from  Utrera  came  suddenly  upon  them. 
The  Moors  rallied  together  in  small  parties,  and 
endeavored  to  defend  themselves ; but  they  were 
without  a leader,  for  Hamet  el  Zegri  was  at  a 
distance,  having,  like  a hawk,  made  a wide  circuit 
in  pursuit  of  prey.  The  marauders  soon  gave 
way  and  fled  towards  the  ambush  on  the  banks 
of  the  Lopera,  being  hotly  pursued  by  the  men 
of  Utrera. 


11 


162 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


When  they  reached  the  Lopera,  the  Moors  in 
ambush  rushed  forth  with  furious  cries  ; and  the 
fugitives,  recovering  courage  from  this  reinforce- 
ment, rallied  and  turned  upon  their  pursuers. 
The  Christians  stood  their  ground,  though  greatly 
inferior  in  number.  Their  lances  were  soon 
broken,  and  they  came  to  sharp  work  with  sword 
and  scimetar.  The  Christians  fought  valiantly, 
but  were  in  danger  of  being  overwhelmed.  The 
bold  Hamet  collected  a handful  of  his  scattered 
Gomeres,  left  his  prey,  and  galloped  towards  the 
scene  of  action.  His  little  troop  of  horsemen 
had  reached  the  crest  of  a rising  ground  at  no 
great  distance,  when  trumpets  were  heard  in 
another  direction,  and  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto 
Carrero  and  his  followers  came  galloping  into  the 
held,  and  charged  upon  the  infidels  in  flank. 

The  Moors  were  astounded  at  finding  war 
thus  breaking  upon  them  from  various  quarters 
of  what  they  had  expected  to  find  an  unguarded 
country.  They  fought  for  a short  time  with  des- 
peration, and  resisted  a vehement  assault  from 
the  knights  of  Alcantara,  and  the  men-at-arms  of 
the  Holy  Brotherhood.  At  length  the  veteran 
Bexir  was  struck  from  his  horse  by  Puerto  Car- 
rero, and  taken  prisoner,  and  the  whole  force  gave 
way  and  fled.  In  their  flight,  they  separated,  and 
took  two  roads  to  the  mountains,  thinking,  by  di- 
viding their  forces,  to  distract  the  enemy.  The 
Christians  were  too  few  to  separate.  Puerto  Car- 
rero kept  them  together,  pursuing  one  division  of 
the  enemy  with  great  slaughter.  This  battle 
took  place  at  the  fountain  of  the  fig-tree,  near  to 


CARRERO'S  VICTORY. 


163 


the  Lopera.  Six  hundred  Moorish  cavaliers  were 
slain,  and  many  taken  prisoners.  Much  spoil 
was  collected  on  the  field,  with  which  the  Chris- 
tians returned  in  triumph  to  their  homes. 

The  larger  body  of  the  enemy  had  retreated 
along  a road  leading  more  to  the  south,  by  the 
banks  of  the  Guadalete.  When  they  reached 
that  river  the  sound  of  pursuit  had  died  away, 
and  they  rallied  to  breathe  and  refresh  themselves 
on  the  margin  of  the  stream.  Their  force  was 
reduced  to  about  a thousand  horse,  and  a confused 
multitude  of  foot.  While  they  were  scattered 
and  partly  dismounted  on  the  banks  of  the  Gua- 
dalete, a fresh  storm  of  war  burst  upon  them 
from  an  opposite  direction.  It  was  the  marques 
of  Cadiz,  leading  on  his  household  troops  and  the 
fighting  men  of  Xeres.  When  the  Christian  war- 
riors came  in  sight  of  the  Moors,  they  were 
roused  to  fury  at  beholding  many  of  them  arrayed 
in  the  armor  of  the  cavaliers  who  had  been  slain 
among  the  mountains  of  Malaga.  Nay,  some 
who  had  been  in  that  defeat  beheld  their  own 
armor,  which  they  had  cast  away  in  their  flight, 
to  enable  themselves  to  climb  the  mountains. 
Exasperated  at  the  sight,  they  rushed  upon  the 
foe  with  the  ferocity  of  tigers,  rather  than  the 
temperate  courage  of  cavaliers.  Each  man  felt 
as  if  he  were  avenging  the  death  of  a relative,  or 
wiping  out  his  own  disgrace.  The  good  marques, 
himself,  beheld  a powerful  Moor  bestriding  the 
horse  of  his  brother  Beltran  : giving  a cry  of 
rage  and  anguish  at  the  sight,  he  rushed  through 
the  thickest  of  the  enemy,  attacked  the  Moor 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


164 


/ 


with  resistless  fury,  and  after  a short  combat, 
hurled  him  breathless  to  the  earth. 

The  Moors,  already  vanquished  in  spirit,  could 
not  withstand  the  assault  of  men  thus  madly  ex- 
cited., They  soon  gave  way,  and  fled  for  the  de- 
file of  the  Serrania  de  Ronda,  where  the  body  of 
troops  had  been  stationed  to  secure  a retreat. 
These,  seeing  them  come  galloping  wildly  up  the 
defile,  with  Christian  banners  in  pursuit,  and  the 
flash  of  weapons  at  their  deadly  work,  thought  all 
Andalusia  was  upon  them,  and  fled  without  await- 
ing an  attack.  The  pursuit  continued  among 
glens  and  defiles ; for  the  Christian  warriors, 
eager  for  revenge,  had  no  compassion  on  the  foe. 

When  the  pursuit  was  over,  the  marques  of 
Cadiz  and  his  followers  reposed  themselves  upon 
the  banks  of  the  Guadalete,  where  they  divided 
the  spoil.  Among  this  were  found  many  rich 
corselets,  helmets,  and  weapons  — the  Moorish 
trophies  of  the  defeat  in  the  mountains  of  Mal- 
aga. Several  were  claimed  by  their  owners ; 
others  were  known  to  have  belonged  to  noble 
cavaliers,  who  had  been  slain  or  taken  prisoners. 
There  were  several  horses,  also,  richly  capari- 
soned, which  had  pranced  proudly  with  the  un- 
fortunate warriors,  as  they  sallied  out  of  Anti- 
qiiera  upon  that  fatal  expedition.  Thus  the 
exultation  of  the  victors  was  dashed  with  melan- 
choly, and  many  a knight  was  seen  lamenting 
over  the  helmet  or  corselet  of  some  loved  com- 
panion in  arms. 

The  good  marques  of  Cadiz  was  resting  under 
a tree  on  the  banks  of  the  Guadalete,  when  the 


EXUL  TA  TION  MIXED  WITH  S ORR  OW,  165 


horse  which  had  belonged  to  his  slaughtered 
brother  Beltran  was  brought  to  him.  He  laid 
his  hand  upon  the  mane,  and  looked  wistfully  at 
the  empty  saddle.  His  bosom  heaved  with  vio- 
lent agitation,  and  his  lip  quivered  and  was  pale. 
‘‘  Ay  de  mi ! hermano  ! ” (woe  is  me  ! my  brother !) 
was  all  that  he  said ; for  the  grief  of  a warrior 
has  not  many  words.  He  looked  round  on  the 
field  strewn  with  the  bodies  of  the  enemy,  and 
in  the  bitterness  of  his  woe  felt  consoled  by  the 
idea  that  his  brother  had  not  been  unrevenged. 

Note.  — “En  el  despojo  de  la  Batalla  se  vieron  muchas 
ricas  corazas  e capacetes,  e barberas  de  las  que  se  habian 
perdido  en  el  Axarquia,  e otras  muchas  armas,  e algunes 
fueron  conocidas  de  sus  diienos  que  las  habian  dejado  por 
fuir,  e otras  fueron  conocidas,  que  eran  mui  sehaladas  de 
hombres  principales  que  habian  quedado  muertos  e cautivos, 
i fueron  tornados  muchos  de  los  mismos  Caballos  con  sus 
ricas  sillas,  de  los  que  quedaron  en  la  Axarquia,  e fueron  con- 
ocidos  cuios  eran.” — Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  67. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


Retreat  of  Hamet  el  Zegri,  Alcayde  of  Ronda. 

HE  bold  alcayde  of  Ronda,  Hamet  el  Ze- 
gri, had  careered  wide  over  the  Cam- 
piSa  of  Utrera,  encompassing  the  flocks 
and  herds,  when  he  heard  the  burst  of  war  at  a 
distance.  There  were  with  him  but  a handful 
of  his  Gomeres.  He  saw  the  scamper  and  pur- 
suit afar  off,  and  beheld  the  Christian  horsemen 
spurring  madly  towards  the  ambuscade  on  the 
banks  of  the  Lopera.  Hamet  tossed  his  hand 
triumphantly  aloft,  for  his  men  to  follow  him. 

The  Christian  dogs  are  ours ! ” said  he,  as  he 
put  spurs  to  his  horse,  to  take  the  enemy  in  rear. 

The  little  band  which  followed  Hamet  scarcely 
amounted  to  thirty  horsemen.  They  spurred 
across  the  plain,  and  reached  a rising  ground, 
just  as  the  force  of  Puerto  Carrero  had  charged, 
with  sound  of  trumpet,  upon  the  flank  of  the 
party  in  ambush.  Hamet  beheld  the  headlong 
rout  of  the  army  with  rage  and  consternation. 
He  found  the  country  was  pouring  forth  its  le- 
gions from  every  quarter,  and  perceived  that  there 
was  no  safety  but  in  precipitate  flight. 

But  which  way  to  fly  ? An  army  was  be- 
tween him  and  the  mountain  pass  ; all  the  forces 


RETREAT  OF  HAMET  EL  ZEGRL  167 


of  the  neighborhood  were  rushing  to  the  borders ; 
the  whole  route  by  which  he  had  come  was  by 
this  time  occupied  by  the  foe.  He  checked  his 
steed,  rose  in  the  stirrups,  and  rolled  a stern  and 
thoughtful  eye  over  the  country ; then  sinking 
into  his  saddle,  he  seemed  to  commune  a moment 
with  himself.  Turning  quickly  to  his  troop,  he 
singled  out  a renegado  Christian,  a traitor  to  his 
religion  and  his  king.  “ Come  hither,”  said 

Hamet.  Thou  knowest  all  the  secret  passes 
of  the  country.”  “ I do,”  replied  the  renegado. 
“ Dost  thou  know  any  circuitous  route,  solitary 
and  untravelled,  by  which  we  can  pass  wide 
within  these  troops,  and  reach  the  Serrania?” 
The  renegado  paused : “ Such  a route  I know, 
but  it  is  full  of  peril,  for  it  leads  through  the 
heart  of  the  Christian  land.”  “ *Tis  well,”  said 
Hamet ; ‘‘  the  more  dangerous  in  appearance,  the 
less  it  will  be  suspected.  Now  hearken  to  me. 
Ride  by  my  side.  Thou  seest  this  purse  of  gold 
and  this  scimetar.  Take  us,  by  the  route  thou 
hast  mentioned,  safe  to  the  pass  of  the  Serrania, 
and  this  purse  shall  be  thy  reward ; betray  us, 
and  this  scimetar  shall  cleave  thee  to  the  saddle- 
bow.” ^ 

The  renegado  obeyed,  trembling.  They  turned 
off  from  the  direct  road  to  the  mountains,  and 
struck  southward  toward  Lebrixa,  passing  by  the 
most  solitary  roads,  and  along  those  deep  ramblas 
and  ravines  by  which  the  country  is  intersected. 
It  was  indeed  a daring  course.  Every  now  and 
then  they  heard  the  distant  sound  of  trumpets, 
1 Cura  de  bs  Palacios^  ubi  sup. 


168 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


and  the  alarm-bells  of  towns  and  villages,  and 
found  that  the  war  was  still  hurrying  to  the  bor- 
ders. They  hid  themselves  in  thickets  and  in 
dry  beds  of  rivers,  until  the  danger  had  passed 
by,  and  then  resumed  their  course.  Hamet  el 
Zegri  rode  on  in  silence,  his  hand  upon  his  scim- 
etar  and  his  eye  upon  the  renegado  guide,  pre- 
pared to  sacrifice  him  on  the  least  sign  of  trea- 
chery ; while  his  band  followed,  gnawing  their 
lips  with  rage,  at  having  thus  to  skulk  through  a 
country  they  had  come  to  ravage. 

When  night  fell,  they  struck  into  more  practi- 
cable roads,  always  keeping  wide  of  the  villages 
and  hamlets,  lest  the  watch-dogs  should  betray 
them.  In  this  way  they  passed  in  deep  midnight 
by  Arcos,  crossed  the  Guadalete,  and  effected 
their  retreat  to  the  mountains.  The  day  dawned 
as  they  made  their  way  up  the  savage  defiles^ 
Their  comrades  had  been  hunted  up  these  very 
glens  by  the  enemy.  * Every  now  and  then  they 
came  to  where  there  had  been  a partial  fight,  or 
a slaughter  of  the  fugitives ; aad  the  rocks  were 
red  with  blood,  and  strewed  with  mangled  bodies. 
The  alcayde  of  Ronda  was  almost  frantic  with 
rage,  at  seeing  many  of  his  bravest  warriors 
lying  stiff  and  stark,  a prey  to  the  hawks  and 
vultures  of  the  mountains.  Now  and  then  some 
wretched  Moor  would  crawl  out  of  a cave  or 
glen,  whither  he  had  fled  for  refuge ; for  in  the 
retreat  many  of  the  horsemen  had  abandoned 
their  steeds,  thrown  away  their  armor,  and  clam- 
bered up  the  cliffs,  where  they  could  not  be  pur- 
sued by  the  Christian  cavalry. 


MOORISH  LAMENTATIONS 


169 


The  Moorish  army  had  sallied  forth  from 
Ronda,  amidst  shouts  and  acclamations  ; but  wail- 
ings were  heard  within  its  walls  as  the  alcayde 
and  his  broken  band  returned  without  banner  or 
trumpet,  and  haggard  with  famine  and  fatigue. 
The  tidings  of  their  disaster  had  preceded  them, 
borne  by  the  fugitives  of  the  army.  No  one 
ventured  to  speak  to  the  stern  Hamet,  as  he  en- 
tered the  city;  for  they  saw  a dark  cloud  upon 
his  brow. 

It  seemed  (says  the  pious  Antonio  Agapida) 
as  if  Heaven  meted  out  this  defeat  in  exact 
retribution  for  the  ills  inflicted  upon  the  Chris- 
tian warriors  in  the  heights  of  Malaga.  It  was 
equally  signal  and  disastrous.  Of  the  brilliant 
array  of  Moorish  chivalry,  which  had  descended 
so  confidently  into  Andalusia,  not  more  than  two 
hundred  escaped.  The  choicest  troops  of  the 
frontier  were  either  taken  or  destroyed ; the 
Moorish  garrisons  enfeebled  ; and  many  alcaydes 
and  cavaliers  of  noble  lineage  carried  into  cap- 
tivity, who  were  afterwards  obliged  to  redeem 
themselves  with  heavy  ransoms. 

This  was  called  the  battle  of  Lopera,  and  was 
fought  on  the  17th  of  September,  1483.  Ferdi- 
nand and  Isabella  were  at  Vittoria,  in  Old  Cas- 
tile, when  they  received  news  of  the  victory,  and 
the  standards  taken  from  the  enemy.  They  cele- 
brated the  event  with  processions,  illuminations, 
and  other  festivities.  Ferdinand  sent  to  the 
marques  of  Cadiz  the  royal  raiment  which  he 
had  worn  on  that  day,  and  conferred  on  him,  and 
all  those  who  should  inherit  his  title,  the  privi- 


170 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


lege  of  wearing  royal  robes  on  our  Lady’s  day, 
in  September,  in  commemoration  of  this  victory.^ 
Queen  Isabella  was  equally  mindful  of  the 
great  services  of  Don  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto 
Carrero.  Besides  many  encomiums  and  favors, 
she  sent  to  his  wife  the  royal  vestments  and  robe 
of  brocade  which  she  had  worn  on  the  same  day, 
to  be  worn  by  her,  during  her  life,  on  the  anni- 
versary of  that  battle.^ 

1 Mariana,  Abarca,  Zurita,  Pulgar,  etc. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Of  the  Keception  at  Court  of  the  Count  de  Cahra  and  the  Al- 
cayde  de  los  Donceles. 

the  midst  of  the  bustle  of  warlike 
Is  worthy  chronicler  Fray  An- 

tonio  Agapida  pauses  to  note,  with  curi- 
ous accuracy,  the  distinguished  reception  given  to 
the  count  de  Cabra  and  his  nephew,  the  alcayde 
de  los  Donceles,  at  the  stately  and  ceremonious 
court  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  in  reward  for 
the  capture  of  the  Moorish  king  Boabdil.  The 
court  (he  observes)  was  held  at  the  time  in  the 
ancient  Moorish  palace  of  the  city  of  Cordova, 
and  the  ceremonials  were  arranged  by  that  vener- 
able prelate,  Don  Pedro  Gonzales  de  Mendoza, 
bishop  of  Toledo  and  grand  cardinal  of  Spain. 

It  was  on  Wednesday,  the  14th  of  October 
(continues  the  precise  Antonio  Agapida),  that  the 
good  count  de  Cabra,  according  to  arrangement, 
appeared  at  the  gate  of  Cordova.  Here  he  was 
met  by  the  grand  cardinal,  and  the  duke  of  Vil- 
lahermosa,  illegitimate  brother  of  the  king,  to- 
gether with  many  of  the  first  grandees  and  pre- 
lates of  the  kingdom.  By  this  august  train  was 
he  attended  to  the  palace,  amidst  strains  of  martial 
music,  and  the  shouts  of  a prodigious  multitude. 

When  the  count  arrived  in  the  presence  of  the 


172 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Bovereigns,  who  were  seated  in  state  on  a dais  or 
raised  part  of  the  hall  of  audience,  they  both 
arose.  The  king  advanced  exactly  five  steps  to- 
ward the  count,  who  knelt  and  kissed  his  royal 
hand ; however,  the  king  would  not  receive  him 
as  a mere  vassal,  but  embraced  him  with  affection- 
ate cordiality.  The  queen  also  advanced  two 
steps,  and  received  the  count  with  a countenance 
full  of  sweetness  and  benignity : after  he  had 
kissed  her  hand,  the  king  and  queen  returned  to 
their  thrones,  and,  cushions  being  brought,  they 
ordered  the  count  de  Cabra  to  be  seated  in  their 
presence.  This  last  circumstance  is  written  in 
large  letters,  and  followed  by  several  notes  of 
admiration,  in  the  manuscript  of  the  worthy  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida,  who  considers  the  extraordinary 
privilege  of  sitting  in  presence  of  the  Catholic 
sovereigns  an  honor  well  worth  fighting  for. 

The  good  count  took  his  seat  at  a short  distance 
from  the  king,  and  near  him  was  seated  the  duke 
of  Najera,  then  the  bishop  of  Palencia,  then  the 
count  of  Aguilar,  the  count  Luna,  and  Don  Gu- 
tierre  de  Cardenas,  senior  commander  of  Leon. 

On  the  side  of  the  queen  were  seated  the 
grand  cardinal  of  Spain,  the  duke  of  Villaherraosa, 
the  count  of  Monte  Rey,  and  the  bishops  of  Jaen 
and  Cuenca,  each  in  the  order  in  which  they  are 
named.  The  infanta  Isabella  was  prevented,  by 
indisposition,  from  attending  the  ceremony. 

And  now  festive  music  resounded  through  the 
hall,  and  twenty  ladies  of  the  queen’s  retinue 
entered,  magnificently  attired  ; upon  which  twenty 
youthful  cavaliers,  very  gay  and  galliard  in  their 


HONORS  TO  THE  VICTORS, 


173 


array,  stepped  forth,  and,  each  seeking  his  fair 
partner,  they  commenced  a stately  dance.  The 
court,  in  the  mean  time  (observes  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida),  looked  on  with  lofty  and  becoming  grav- 
ity. 

When  the  dance  was  concluded,  the  king  and 
queen  rose  to  retire  to  supper,  and  dismissed  the 
count  with  many  gracious  expressions.  He  was 
then  attended  by  all  the  grandees  present  to  the 
palace  of  the  grand  cardinal,  where  they  partook 
of  a sumptuous  banquet. 

On  the  following  Saturday,  the  alcayde  de  los 
Donceles  was  received,  likewise,  with  great  hon- 
ors ; but  the  ceremonies  were  so  arranged,  as  to 
be  a degree  less  in  dignity  than  those  shown  to 
his  uncle  ; the  latter  being  considered  the  principal 
actor  in  this  great  achievement.  Thus  the  grand 
cardinal  and  the  duke  of  Villahermosa  did  not 
meet  him  at  the  gate  of  the  city,  but  received 
him  in  the  palace,  and  entertained  him  in  con- 
versation until  summoned  to  the  sovereigns. 

When  the  alcayde  de  los  Donceles  entered  the 
presence  chamber,  the  king  and  queen  rose  from 
their  chairs,  but  without  advancing.  They  greeted 
him  graciously,  and  commanded  him  to  be  seated 
next  to  the  count  de  Cabra. 

The  infanta  Isabella  came  forth  to  this  re- 
ception, and  took  her  seat  beside  the  queen. 
When  the  court  were  all  seated,  the  music  again 
sounded  through  the  hall,  and  the  twenty  ladies 
came  forth  as  on  the  preceding  occasion,  richly 
attired,  but  in  different  raiment.  They  danced 
as  before ; and  the  infanta  Isabella,  taking  a 


174  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


young  Portuguese  damsel  for  a partner,  joined  in 
the  dance.  When  this  was  concluded,  the  king 
and  queen  dismissed  the  alcayde  de  los  Donee les 
with  great  courtesy,  and  the  court  broke  up. 

The  worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  here  in- 
dulges in  a long  eulogy  on  the  scrupulous  dis- 
crimination of  the  Castilian  court,  in  the  dis- 
tribution of  its  honors  and  rewards,  by  which 
means  every  smile,  and  gesture,  and  word  of  the 
sovereigns,  had  its  certain  value,  and  conveyed 
its  equivalent  of  joy  to  the  heart  of  the  subject ; — 
a matter  well  worthy  the  study  (says  he)  of  all 
monarchs,  who  are  too  apt  to  distribute  honors 
with  a heedless  caprice  that  renders  them  of  no 
avail. 

On  the  following  Sunday  both  the  count  de 
Cabra  and  the  alcayde  de  los  Donceles  were  in- 
vited to  sup  with  the  sovereigns.  The  court  that 
evening  was  attended  by  the  highest  nobility,  ar- 
rayed with  that  cost  and  splendor  for  which  the 
Spanish  nobility  of  those  days  were  renowned. 

Before  supper,  there  was  a stately  and  cere- 
monious dance,  befitting  the  dignity  of  so  august  a 
court.  The  king  led  forth  the  queen,  in  grave 
and  graceful  measure ; the  count  de  Cabra  was 
honored  with  the  hand  of  the  infanta  Isabella ; 
and  the  alcayde  de  los  Donceles  danced  with  a 
daughter  of  the  marques  de  Astorga. 

The  dance  being  concluded,  the  royal  party  re- 
paired to  the  supper-table,  which  was  placed  on 
an  elevated  part  of  the  saloon.  Here,  in  full 
view  of  the  court,  the  count  de  Cabra  and  the 
alcayde  de  los  Donceles  supped  at  the  same 


MEMORIALS  OF  THE  VICTORY.  175 


table  with  the  king,  the  queen,  and  the  infanta. 
The  royal  family  were  served  by  the  marques  of 
Villena.  The  cupbearer  to  the  king  was  his 
nephew,  Fadrigue  de  Toledo,  son  to  the  duke  of 
Alva.  Don  Alexis  de  Estaniga  had  the  honor 
of  fulfilling  that  office  for  the  queen,  and  Tello 
de  Aguilar  for  the  infanta.  Other  cavaliers  of 
rank  and  distinction  waited  on  the  count  and  the 
alcayde  de  los  Donceles.  At  one  o’clock,  the  two 
distinguished  guests  were  dismissed  with  many 
courteous  expressions  by  the  sovereigns. 

Such  (says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida)  were  the 
great  honors  paid  at  our  most  exalted  and  cere- 
monious court  to  these  renowned  cavaliers ; but 
the  gratitude  of  the  sovereigns  did  not  end  here. 
A few  days  afterwards,  they  bestowed  upon  them 
large  revenues  for  life,  and  others  to  descend  to 
their  heirs,  with  the  privilege  for  them  and  their 
descendants  to  prefix  the  title  of  Don  to  their 
names.  They  gave  them,  moreover,  as  armorial 
bearings,  a Moor’s  head  crowned,  with  a*  golden 
chain  round  the  neck,  in  a sanguine  field,  and 
twenty-two  banners  round  the  margin  of  the  es- 
cutcheon. Their  descendants,  of  the  houses  of 
Cabra  and  Cordova,  continue  to  bear  these  arms 
at  the  present  day,  in  memorial  of  the  victory  of 
Lucena  and  the  capture  of  Boabdil  el  Chico.^ 

1 The  account  given  F^y  Antonio  Agapida  of  this 
ceremonial,  so  characteristic  of  the  old  Spanish  court,  agrees 
in  almost  everj’-  particular  with  an  ancient  manuscript,  made 
up  fi’om  the  chronicles  of  the  Curate  of  los  Palacios  and  other 
old  Spanish  writers. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

How  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  concerted  to  surprise  Zahara,  and 
the  Result  of  his  Enterprise. 

HE  valiant  Roderigo  Ponce  de  Leon,  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz,  was  one  of  the  most  vigi- 
lant of  commanders.  He  kept  in  his  pay 
a number  of  converted  Moors,  to  serve  as  adalides, 
or  armed  guides.  These  mongrel  Christians  were 
of  great  service  in  procuring  information.  Avail- 
ing themselves  of  their  Moorish  character  and 
tongue,  they  penetrated  into  the  enemy’s  country, 
prowled  about  the  castles  and  fortresses,  noticed 
the  state  of  the  walls,  the  gates  and  towers,  the 
strength  of  their  garrison,  and  the  vigilance  or 
negligence  of  their  commanders.  All  this  they 
reported  minutely  to  the  marques,  who  thus  knew 
the  state  of  every  fortress  upon  the  frontier,  and 
when  it  might  be  attacked  with  advantage.  Be- 
sides the  various  towns  and  cities  over  which  he 
held ‘feudal  sway,  he  had  always  an  armed  force 
about  him,  ready  for  the  field.  A host  of  retain- 
ers fed  in  his  hall,  who  were  ready  to  follow  him  to 
danger  and  death  itself,  without  inquiring  who  or 
why  they  fought.  The  armories  of  his  castles 
were  supplied  with  helms  and  cuirasses,  and  w'eap- 
ons  of  all  kinds,  ready  burnished  for  use  ; and  his 


PROJECT  FOR  SURPRISING  ZAHARA  177 


stables  were  filled  with  hardy  steeds,  that  could 
stand  a mountain  scamper. 

The  marques  was  aware  that  the  late  defeat  of 
the  Moors  on  the  banks  of  the  Lopera  had  weak- 
ened their  whole  frontier  ; for  many  of  the  castles 
and  fortresses  had  lost  their  alcaydes,  and  their 
choicest  troops.  He  sent  out  his  war-hounds, 
therefore,  upon  the  range,  to  ascertain  where  a 
successful  blow  might  be  struck ; and  they  soon 
returned,  with  word  that  Zahara  was  weakly  gar- 
risoned and  short  of  provisions. 

This  was  the  very  fortress,  which,  about  two 
years  before,  had  been  stormed  by  Muley  Abul 
Hassan;  and  its  capture  had  been  the  first  blow 
of  this  eventful  war.  It  had  ever  since  remained 
a thorn  in  the  side  of  Andalusia.  All  the  Chris- 
tians had  been  carried  away  captive,  and  no  civil 
population  had  been  introduced  in  their  stead. 
There  were  no  women  or  children  in  the  place. 
It  was  kept  up  as  a mere  military  post,  command- 
ing one  of  the  most  important  passes  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  was  a stronghold  of  Moorish  marauders. 
The  marques  was  animated  by  the  idea  of  regain- 
ing this  fortress  for  his  sovereigns  and  wresting 
from  the  old  Moorish  king  this  boasted  trophy  of 
his  prowess.  He  sent  missives,  therefore,  to  the 
brave  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto  Carrero,  who  had 
distinguished  himself  in  the  late  victory^  and  to 
Juan  Almaraz,  captain  of  the  men-at-arms  of  the 
Holy  Brotherhood,  informing  them  of  his  designs, 
and  inviting  them  to  meet  him  with  their  forces 
on  the  banks  of  the  Gaudalete. 

It  was  on  the  day  (says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida) 
12 


178 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


of  the  glorious  apostles  St.  Simon  and  Judas,  the 
twenty-eighth  of  October,  in  the  year  of  grace  one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-three,  that  this 
chosen  band  of  Christian  soldiers  assembled  sud- 
denly and  secretly  at  the  appointed  place.  Their 
forces,  when  united,  amounted  to  six  hundred  horse 
and  fifteen  hundred  foot.  Their  gathering  place 
was  at  the  entrance  of  the  defile  leading  to  Zahara. 
That  ancient  town,  renowned  in  Moorish  warfare, 
is  situated  in  one  of  the  roughest  passes  of  the 
Serrania  de  Ronda.  It  is  built  round  the  craggy 
cone  of  a hill,  on  the  lofty  summit  of  which  is  a 
strong  castle.  The  country  around  is  broken 
into  deep  barrancas  or  ravines,  some  of  which 
approach  its  very  walls.  The  place  had  until  re- 
cently been  considered  impregnable ; but  (as  the 
worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  observes)  the 
walls  of  impregnable  fortresses,  like  the  virtue  of 
self-confident  saints,  have  their  weak  points  of 
attack. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  advanced  with  his  little 
army  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  marching  silently 
into  the  deep  and  dark  defiles  of  the  mountains, 
and  stealing  up  the  ravines  which  extended  to  the 
walls  of  the  town.  Their  approach  was  so  noise- 
less that  the  Moorish  sentinels  upon  the  walls 
heard  not  a voice  or  a footfall.  The  marques  was 
accompanied  by  his  old  escalador,  Ortega  de  Prado, 
who  had  distinguished  himself  at  the  scaling  of 
Alhama.  This  hardy  veteran  was  stationed,  with 
ten  men,  furnished  with  scaling-ladders,  in  a cav- 
ity among  the  rocks,  close  to  the  walls.  At  a 
little  distance,  seventy  men  were  hid  in  a ravine, 


CAPTURE  OF  ZAHAR  A. 


179 


to  be  at  hand  to  second  him,  when  he  should 
have  fixed  his  ladders.  The  rest  of  the  troops 
were  concealed  in  another  ravine,  commanding^  a 
fair  approach  to  the  gate  of  the  fortress.  A 
shrewd  and  wary  adalid,  well  acquainted  with 
the  place,  was  appointed  to  give  signals,  and  so 
stationed,  that  he  could  be  seen  by  the  various 
parties  in  ambush,  but  not  by  the  garrison. 

The  remainder  of  the  night  passed  away  in  pro- 
found quiet.  The  Moorish  sentinels  could  be 
heard  tranquilly  patrolling  the  walls,  in  perfect 
security.  The  day  dawned,  and  the  rising  sun 
• began  to  shine  against  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Ser- 
rania  de  Ronda.  The  sentinels  looked  from  their 
battlements  over  a savage  but  quiet  mountain 
country,  where  not  a human  being  was  stirring  ; 
they  little  dreamt  of  the  mischief  lurking  in  every 
ravine  and  chasm  of  the  rocks  around  them.  Ap- 
prehending no  danger  of  surprise  in  broad  day, 
the  greater  part  of  the  soldiers  abandoned  the 
walls  and  towers,  and  descended  into  the  city. 

By  orders  of  the  marques,  a small  body  of 
light  cavalry  passed  along  the  glen,  and,  turning 
round  a point  of  rock,  showed  themselves  before 
the  town  ; they  skirred  the  fields  almost  to  the 
gates,  as  if  by  way  of  bravado,  and  to  defy  the 
garrison  to  a skirmish.  The  Moors  were  not 
slow  in  replying  to  it.  About  seventy  horse, 
and  a number  of  foot  who  had  guarded  the  walls, 
sallied  forth  impetuously,  thinking  to  make  easy 
prey  of  these  insolent  marauders.  The  Christian 
horsemen  fled  for  the  ravine,  the  Moors  pursued 
them  down  the  hill,  until  they  heard  a great 


180 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


shouting  and  tumult  behind  them.  Looking 
round  towards  the  town,  they  beheld  a scaling 
party  mounting  the  walls  sword  in  hand.  Wheel- 
ing about,  they  galloped  for  the  gate  ; the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz  and  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto  Car- 
rero  rushed  forth  at  the  same  time  with  their 
ambuscade,  and  endeavored  to  cut  them  off ; but 
the  Moors  succeeded  in  throwing  themselves 
within  the  walls. 

While  Puerto  Carrero  stormed  at  the  gate,  the 
marques  put  spurs  to  his  horse  and  galloped  to 
the  support  of  Ortega  de  Prado  and  his  scaling 
party.  He  arrived  at  a moment  of  imminent 
peril,  when  the  party  was  assailed  by  fifty  Moors, 
armed  with  cuirasses  and  lances,  who  were  on 
the  point  of  thrusting  them  from  the  walls.  The 
marques  sprang  from  his  horse,  mounted  a ladder, 
sword  in  hand,  followed  by  a number  of  his 
troops,  and  made  a vigorous  attack  upon  the 
enemy.^  They  were  soon  driven  from  the  walls, 
and  the  gates  and  towers  remained  in  possession 
of  the  Christians.  The  Moors  defended  them- 
selves for  a short  time  in  the  streets,  but  at  length 
took  refuge  in  the  castle,  the  walls  of  which  were 
strong,  and  capable  of  holding  out  until  relief 
should  arrive.  The  marques  had  no  desire  to 
carry  on  a siege,  and  he  had  not  provisions  suffi- 
cient for  many  prisoners ; he  granted  them,  there- 
fore, favorable  terms.  They  were  permitted,  on 
leaving  their  arms  behind  them,  to  march  out 
with  as  much  of  their  effects  as  they  could  carry ; 
and  it  was  stipulated  that  they  should  pass  over 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  c.  68. 


HONORS  OF  THE  MARQUES, 


181 


to  Barbary.  The  marques  remained  in  the  place 
until  both  town  and  castle  were  put  in  a perfect 
state  of  defense,  and  strongly  garrisoned. 

Thus  did  Zahara  return  once  more  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Christians,  to  the  great  confusion  of 
old  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  who,  having  paid  the 
penalty  of  his  ill-timed  violence,  was  now  de- 
prived of  its  vaunted  fruits.  The  Castilian  sov- 
ereigns were  so  gratified  by  this  achievement  of 
the  valiant  Ponce  de  Leon,  that  they  authorized 
him  thenceforth  to  entitle  himself  duke  of  Cadiz 
and  marques  of  Zahara.  The  warrior,  however, 
was  so  proud  of  the  original  title,  under  which 
he  had  so  often  signalized  himself,  that  he  gave 
it  the  precedence,  and  always  signed  himself  mar- 
ques, duke  of  Cadiz.  As  the  reader  may  have 
acquired  the  same  predilection,  we  shall  continue 
to  call  him  by  his  ancient  title. 


4?^ 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Of  the  Fortress  of  Alhama,  and  how  wisely  it  was  governed 
by  the  Count  de  Tendilla. 

N this  part  of  his  chronicle,  the  worthy 
father  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  indulges 
in  triumphant  exultation  over  the  down- 
fall of  Zahara  : Heaven  sometimes  speaks  (says 
he)  through  the  mouths  of  false  prophets,  for  the 
confusion  of  the  wicked.  By  the  fall  of  this 
fortress  was  the  prediction  of  the  santon  of  Gra- 
nada in  some  measure  fulfilled,  that  ‘Hhe  ruins 
of  Zahara  should  fall  upon  the  heads  of  the  in- 
fidels.” 

Our  zealous  chronicler  scoffs  at  the  Moorish 
alcayde,  who  lost  his  fortress  by  surprise  in  broad 
daylight ; and  contrasts  the  vigilance  of  the  Chris- 
tian governor  of  Alhama,  the  town  taken  in  re- 
taliation for  the  storming  of  Zahara. 

The  important  post  of  Alhama  was  at  this 
time  confided  by  King  Ferdinand  to  Don  Inigo 
Lopez  de  Mendoza,  count  of  Tendilla,  a cavalier 
of  noble  blood,  brother  to  the  grand  cardinal  of 
Spain.  He  had  been  instructed  by  the  king,  nol 
merely  to  maintain  his  post,  but  also  to  make 
sallies  and  lay  waste  the  surrounding  country. 
His  fortress  was  critically  situated.  It  was 


STATE  OF  ALHAMA. 


183 


within  seven  leagues  of  Granada,  and  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  warlike  city  of  Loxa.  It  was 
nestled  in  the  lap  of  the  mountains,  commanding 
the  high-road  to  Malaga  and  a view  over  the  ex- 
tensive  vega.  Thus  situated,  in  the  heart  of  the 
enemy’s  country,  surrounded  by  foes  ready  to 
assail  him,  and  a rich  country  for  him  to  ravage, 
it  behooved  this  cavalier  to  be  forever  on  the 
alert.  He  was  in  fact  an  experienced  veteran,  a 
shrewd  and  wary  officer,  and  a commander  amaz- 
ingly prompt  and  fertile  in  expedients. 

On  assuming  the  command,  he  found  that  the 
garrison  consisted  but  of  one  thousand  men,  horse 
and  foot.  They  were  hardy  troops,  seasoned  in 
rough  mountain  campaigning,  but  reckless  and 
dissolute,  as  soldiers  are  apt  to  be  when  accus- 
tomed to  predatory  warfare.  They  would  fight 
hard  for  booty,  and  then  gamble  it  heedlessly 
away,  or  squander  it  in  licentious  reveling.  Al- 
hama  abounded  with  hawking,  sharping,  idle  hang- 
ers-on, eager  to  profit  by  the  vices  and  follies  of 
the  garrison.  The  soldiers  were  oftener  gam- 
bling and  dancing  beneath  the  walls,  than  keeping 
watch  upon  the  battlements;  and  nothing  was 
heard,  from  morning  till  night,  but  the  noisy  con- 
test of  cards  and  dice,  mingled  with  the  sound  of 
the  bolero  or  fandango,  the  drowsy  strumming  of 
the  guitar,  and  the  rattling  of  the  castanets ; 
while  often  the  whole  was  interrupted  by  the  loud 
brawl,  and  fierce  and  bloody  contest. 

The  count  of  Tendilla  set  himself  vigorously 
to  reform  these  excesses  ; he  knew  that  laxity  of 
morals  is  generally  attended  by  neglect  of  duty 


184 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


and  that  the  least  breach  of  discipline  in  the  ex- 
posed situation  of  his  fortress  might  be  fatal, 
“ Here  is  but  a handful  of  men/’  said  he  ; “ it  is 
necessary  that  each  man  should  be  a hero.” 

He  endeavored  to  awaken  a proper  ambition 
in  the  minds  of  his  soldiers,  and  to  instill  into 
them  the  high  principles  of  chivalry.  ‘‘A  just 
war,”  he  observed,  “ is  often  rendered  wicked  and 
disastrous  by  the  manner  in  which  it  is  con- 
ducted ; for  the  righteousness  of  the  cause  is  not 
sufficient  to  sanction  the  profligacy  of  the  means, 
and  the  w^ant  of  order  and  subordination  among 
the  troops  may  bring  ruin  and  disgrace  upon  the 
best  concerted  plans.”  But  we  cannot  describe 
the  character  and  conduct  of  this  renowned  com- 
mander in  more  forcible  language  than  that  of 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  excepting  that  the  pious 
father  places  in  the  foreground  of  his  virtues  his 
hatred  of  the  Moors.  “ The  count  de  Ten- 
dill  a,”  says  he,  “ was  a mirror  of  Christian  knight- 
hood— watchful,  abstemious,  chaste,  devout,  and 
thoroughly  filled  with  the  spirit  of  the  cause. 
He  labored  incessantly  and  strenuously  for  the 
glory  of  the  faith,  and  the  prosperity  of  their 
most  Catholic  majesties  ; and,  above  all,  he  hated 
the  infidels  with  a pure  and  holy  hatred.  This 
worthy  cavalier  discountenanced  all  idleness,  riot- 
ing, chambering,  and  wantonness,  among  his  sol- 
diery. He  kept  them  constantly  to  the  exercise 
of  arms,  making  them  adroit  in  the  use  of  their 
weapons  and  management  of  their  steeds,  and 
prompt  for  the  field  at  a moment’s  notice.  He 
permitted  no  sound  of  lute  or  harp,  or  song,  oi* 


THE  COUNT  OF  TENBILLA 


185 


other  loose  minstrelsy,  to  be  heard  in  his  fortress, 
debauching  the  ear  and  softening  the  valor  of  the 
soldier ; no  other  music  was  allowed  but  the 
wholesome  rolling  of  the  drum  and  braying  of 
the  trumpet,  and  such  like  spirit-stirring  instru- 
ments, as  fill  the  mind  with  thoughts  of  iron-war. 
All  wandering  minstrels,  sharping  pedlars,  sturdy 
trulls,  and  other  camp  trumpery,  were  ordered  to 
pack  up  their  baggage,  and  were  drummed  out  of 
the  gates  of  Alhama.  In  place  of  such  lewd 
rabble,  he  introduced  a train  of  holy  friars  to  in- 
spirit his  people  by  exhortation,  and  prayer,  and 
choral  chanting,  and  to  spur  them  on  to  fight  the 
good  fight  of  faith.  All  games  of  chance  were 
prohibited,  except  the  game  of  war ; and  this  he 
labored,  by  vigilance  and  vigor,  to  reduce  to  a 
game  of  certainty.  Heaven  smiled  upon  the 
efforts  of  this  righteous  cavalier.  His  men  be- 
came soldiers  at  all  points,  and  terrors  to  the 
Moors.  The  good  count  never  set  forth  on  a rav- 
age, without  observing  the  rites  of  confession, 
absolution,  and  communion,  and  obliging  his  fol- 
lowers to  do  the  same.  Their  banners  were 
blessed  by  the  holy  friars  whom  he  maintained 
in  Alhama ; and  in  this  way  success  was  secured 
to  his  arms,  and  he  was  enabled  to  lay  waste  the 
land  of  the  heathen.” 

“ The  fortress  of  Alhama  ” continues  Fray  An- 
tonio Agapida  overlooked  from  its  lofty  site  a 
great  part  of  the  fertile  vega,  watered  by  the 
Cazin  and  the  Xenil ; from  this  he  made  frequent 
sallies,  sweeping  away  the  flocks  and  herds  from 
the  pasture,  the  laborer  from  the  field,  and  the 


186 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


convoy  from  the  road  ; so  that  it  was  said  by  the 
Moors,  that  a beetle  could  not  crawl  across  the 
vega  without  being  seen  by  count  Tendilla.  The 
peasantry,  therefore,  were  fain  to  betake  them- 
selves to  watch-towers  and  fortified  hamlets, 
where  they  shut  up  their  cattle,  garnered  their 
corn,  and  sheltered  their  wives  and  children. 
Even  there  they  were  not  safe  ; the  count  would 
storm  these  rustic  fortresses  with  fire  and  sword  ; 
make  captives  of  their  inhabitants  ; carry  off  the 
corn,  the  oil,  the  silks,  and  cattle ; and  leave  the 
ruins  blazing  and  smoking,  within  the  very  sight 
of  Granada.” 

‘‘  It  was  a pleasing  and  refreshing  sight,”  con- 
tinues the  good  father,  “ to  behold  this  pious 
knight  and  his  followers  returning  from  one  of 
these  crusades,  leaving  the  rich  land  of  the  infidel 
in  smoking  desolation  behind  them  ; to  behold  the 
long  line  of  mules  and  asses,  laden  with  the 
plunder  of  the  Gentiles  — the  hosts  of  captive 
Moors,  men,  women,  and  children  — > droves  of 
sturdy  beeves,  lowing  kine,  and  bleating  sheep  ; 
all  winding  up  the  steep  acclivity  to  the  gates  of 
Alhama,  pricked  on  by  the  Catholic  soldiery. 
His  garrison  thus  thrived  on  the  fat  of  the  land 
and  the  spoil  of  the  infidel ; nor  was  he  unmindful 
of  the  pious  fathers,  whose  blessings  crowned  his 
enterprises  with  success.  A large  portion  of  the 
spoil  was  always  dedicated  to  the  church  ; and  the 
good  friars  were  ever  ready  at  the  gate  to  hail 
him  on  his  retuim,  and  receive  the  share  allotted 
them.  Beside  these  allotments,  he  made  many 
votive  offerings,  either  in  time  of  peril  or  on  the 


DEFENSE  OF  ALEAMA. 


187 


eve  of  a foray ; and  the  chapels  of  Albania  were 
resplendent  with  chalices,  crosses,  and  other  pre- 
cious gifts  made  by  this  Catholic  cavalier.” 

Thus  eloquently  does  the  venerable  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida  dilate  in  praise  of  the  good 
^count  de  Tendilla  ; and  other  historians  of  equal 
veracity,  but  less  unction,  agree  in  pronouncing 
him  one  of  the  ablest  of  Spanish  generals.  So 
terrible  in  fact  did  he  become  in  the  land,  that 
the  Moorish  peasantry  could  not  venture  a league 
from  Granada  or  Loxa  to  labor  in  the  fields, 
without  peril  of  being  carried  into  captivity.  The 
people  oFGranada  clamored  against  Muley  Abul 
Hassan,  for  suffering  his  lands  to  be  thus  outraged 
and  insulted,  and  demanded  to  have  this  bold 
marauder  shut  up  in  his  fortress.  The  old 
monarch  was  roused  by  their  remonstrances.  He 
sent  forth  powerful  troops  of  horse,  to  protect 
the  country,  during  the  season  that  the  husband- 
men were  abroad  in  the  fields.  These  troops 
patrolled  in  formidable  squadrons  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Alhama,  keeping  strict  watch  upon  its 
gates  ; so  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  Christians 
to  make  a sally,  without  being  seen  and  in- 
tercepted. 

While  Alhama  was  thus  blockaded  by  a roving 
force  of  Moorish  cavalry,  the  inhabitants  were 
awakened  one  night  by  a tremendous  crash,  that 
shook  the  fortress  to  its  foundations.  The  garri- 
son flew  to  arms,  supposing  it  some  assault  of  the 
enemy.  The  alarm  proved  to  have  been  caused 
by  the  rupture  of  a portion  of  the  wall,  which, 
undermined  by  heavy  rains,  had  suddenly  given 


188 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


way,  leaving  a large  chasm  yawning  towards  the 
plain. 

The  count  de  Tendilla  was  for  a time  in  great 
anxiety.  Should  this  breach  be  discovered  by 
the  blockading  horsemen,  they  would  arouse  the 
country,  Granada  and  Loxa  would  pour  out  an 
overwhelming  force,  and  they  would  find  his* 
walls  ready  sapped  for  an  assault.  In  this  fearful 
emergency,  the  count  displayed  his  noted  talent 
for  expedients.  He  ordered  a quantity  of  linen 
cloth  to  be  stretched  in  front  of  the  breach,  painted 
in  imitation  of  stone,  and  indented  with  battle- 
ments, so  as  at  a distance  to  resemble  the  other 
parts  of  the  walls  : behind  this  screen  he  employed 
workmen,  day  and  night,  in  repairing  the  fracture. 
No  one  was  permitted  to  leave  the  fortress,  lest 
information  of  its  defenseless  plight  should  be 
carried  to  the  Moor.  Light  squadrons  of  the 
enemy  were  seen  hovering  about  the  plain,  but 
never  approached  near  enough  to  discover  the  de- 
ception ; and  thus,  in  the  course  of  a few  days, 
the  wall  was  rebuilt  stronger  than  before. 

There  was  another  expedient  of  this  shrewd 
veteran,  which  greatly  excites  the  marvel  of 
Agapida.  “ It  happened,”  he  observes,  that 
this  Catholic  cavalier  at  one  time  was  destitute  of 
gold  and  silver,  wherewith  to  pay  the  wages  of 
his  troops ; and  the  soldiers  murmured  greatly, 
seeing  that  they  had  not  the  means  of  purchasing 
necessaries  from  the  people  of  the  town.  In 
this  dilemma,  what  does  this  most  sagacious  com- 
mander ? He  takes  me  a number  of  little 
morsels  of  paper,  on  the  which  he  inscribes 


ADROIT  DEVICE  — PAPER  MONET.  18S 


various  sums,  large  and  small,  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  case,  and  signs  me  them  with  his 
own  hand  and  name.  These  did  he  give  to  the 
soldiery,  in  earnest  of  their  pay.  ‘ How  ! ’ you 
will  say,  ‘ are  soldiers  to  be  paid  with  scraps  of 
paper  ? ’ Even  so,  I answer,  and  well  paid  too, 
as  I will  presently  make  manifest : for  the  good 
count  issued  a proclamation,  ordering  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Alhama  to  take  these  morsels  of  paper 
for  the  full  amount  thereon  inscribed,  promising 
to  redeem  them  at  a future  time  with  silver  and 
gold,  and  threatening  severe  punishment  to  all 
who  should  refuse.  The  people,  having  full  con- 
fidence in  his  word,  and  trusting  that  he  would 
be  as  willing  to  perform  the  one  promise  as  he 
certainly  was  able  to  perform  the  other,  took 
those  curious  morsels  of  paper  without  hesitation 
or  demur.  Thus,  by  a subtle  and  most  miracu- 
lous kind  of  alchemy,  did  this  Catholic  cavalier 
turn  worthless  paper  into  precious  gold,  and 
make  his  late  impoverished  garrison  abound  in 
money  ! ” 

It  is  but  just  to  add,  that  the  count  de  Tendilla 
redeemed  his  promises,  like  a loyal  knight ; and 
this  miracle  as  it  appeared  in  the  eyes  of  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida,  is  the  first  instance  on  record 
of  paper  money,  which  has  since  inundated  the 
civilized  world  with  unbounded  opulence. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Foray  of  Christian  Knights  into  the  Territory  of  the  Moors. 

HE  Spanish  cavaliers  who  had  survived 
the  memorable  massacre  among  the 
mountains  of  Malaga,  although  they 
had  repeatedly  avenged  the  death  of  their  com- 
panions, could  not  forget  the  horror  and  humilia- 
tion of  their  defeat.  Xothing  would  satisfy  them 
but  a second  expedition  of  the  kind,  to  carry  fire 
and  sword  throughout  a wide  part  of  the  Moor- 
ish territories,  and  leave  the  region  which  had 
triumphed  in  their  disaster  a black  and  burning 
monument  of  their  vengeance.  Their  wishes  ac- 
corded with  the  policy  of  the  king,  to  destroy 
the  resources  of  the  enemy  ; every  assistance  was 
therefore  given  to  their  enterprise. 

In  the  spring  of  1484,  the  ancient  city  of  An- 
tiquera  again  resounded  with  arms ; numbers  of 
the  same  cavaliers  who  had  assembled  there  so 
gayly  the  preceding  year,  came  wheeling  into  the 
gates  with  their  steeled  and  shining  warriors,  but 
with  a more  dark  and  solemn  brow  than  on  that 
disastrous  occasion,  for  they  had  the  recollection 
of  their  slaughtered  friends  present  to  their  minds, 
whose  deaths  they  were  to  avenge. 

In  a little  while  there  was  a chosen  force  of 


ANOTHER  FORAY  ACxAINST  THE  MOORS,  191 


six  thousand  horse  and  twelve  thousand  foot  as- 
sembled in  Antiquera,  many  of  them  the  very 
flower  of  Spanish  chivalry,  troops  of  the  estab- 
lished military  and  religious  orders,  and  of  the 
Holy  Brotherhood. 

Precautions  had  been  taken  to  furnish  this  army 
with  all  things  needful  for  its  perilous  inroad. 
Numerous  surgeons  accompanied  it,  who  were  to 
attend  upon  the  sick  and  wounded,  without  charge, 
being  paid  for  their  services  by  the  queen.  Isa- 
bella also,  in  her  considerate  humanity,  provided 
six  spacious  tents  furnished  with  beds  and  all 
thino^s  needful  for  the  wounded  and  infirm. 
These  continued  to  be  used  in  all  .great  expe- 
ditions throughout  the  war,  and  were  called  the 
Queeifs  Hospital.  The  worthy  father.  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida,  vaunts  this  benignant  provision 
of  the  queen,  as  the  first  introduction  of  a regu- 
lar camp  hospital  in  campaigning  service. 

Thus  thoroughly  prepared,  the  cavaliers  issued 
forth  from  Antiquera  in  splendid  and  terrible 
array,  but  with  less  exulting  confidence  and 
vaunting  ostentation  than  on  their  former  foray  ; 
and  this  was  the  order  of  the  army.  Don  Alonzo 
de  Aguilar  led  the  advance  guard,  accompanied 
by  Don  Diego  Fernandez  de  Cordova,  the  al- 
cayde  de  los  Donceles,  and  Luis  Fernandez  Pu- 
erto Carrero,  count  of  Palma,  with  their  house- 
hold troops.  They  were  followed  by  Juan  de 
Merlo,  Juan  de  Almara,  and  Carlos  de  Biezman, 
of  the  Holy  Brotherhood,  with  the  men-at-arms 
of  their  captaincies. 

The  second  battalion  was  commanded  by  the 


192 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


marques  of  Cadiz  and  the  Master  of  Santiago, 
with  the  cavaliers  of  Santiago  and  the  troops  of 
the  house  of  Ponce  Leon ; with  these  also  went 
the  senior  commander  of  Calatrava  and  the 
knights  of  that  order,  and  various  other  cavaliers 
and  their  retainers. 

The  right  wing  of  this  second  battalion  was 
led  by  Gonsalvo  de  Cordova,  afterwards  re- 
nowned as  grand  captain  of  Spam  ; the  left  by 
Diego  Lopez  de  Avila.  They  were  accompanied 
by  several  distinguished  cavaliers,  and  certain 
captains  of  the  Holy  Brotherhood,  with  their 
men-at-arms. 

The  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia  and  the  count  de 
Cabra  commanded  the  third  battalion,  with  the 
troops  of  their  respective  houses.  They  were 
accompanied  by  other  commanders  of  note,  with 
their  forces. 

The  rear-guard  was  brought  up  by  the  senior 
commander  and  knights  of  Alcantara,  followed 
by  the  Andalusian  chivalry  from  Xerez,  Ecija, 
and  Carmona. 

Such  was  the  army  that  issued  forth  from  the 
gates  of  Antiquera,  on  one  of  the  most  exten- 
sive talas,  or  devastating  inroads,  that  ever  laid 
waste  the  kingdom  of  Granada. 

The  army  entered  the  Moorish  territory  by 
the  way  of  Alora,  destroying  all  the  corn-fields, 
vineyards,  and  orchards,  and  plantations  of  olives, 
round  that  city.  It  then  proceeded  through  the 
rich  valleys  and  fertile  uplands  of  Coin,  Cazar- 
abonela,  Almexia,  and  Cartama  ; and  in  ten  days 
all  those  fertile  regions  were  a smoking  and 


DESOLATION  OF  THE  VEGA. 


193 


frightful  desert  Hence  it  pursued  its  slow  and 
destructive  coui'se,  like  the  stream  of  lava  of  a 
volcano,  through  the  regions  of  Pupiana  and  Al- 
hendin,  and  so  on  to  the  vega  of  Malaga,  laying 
waste  the  groves  of  olives  and  almonds,  and  the 
fields  of  grain,  and  destroying  every  green  thing. 
The  Moors  of  some  of  those  places  interceded  in 
vain  for  their  groves  and  fields,  offering  to  de- 
liver up  their  Christian  captives.  One  part  of 
the  army  blockaded  the  towns,  while  the  other 
ravaged  the  surrounding  country.  Sometimes 
the  Moors  sallied  forth  desperately  to  defend  their 
property,  but  were  driven  back  to  their  gates 
with  slaughter  and  their  suburbs  pillaged  and 
burnt.  It  was  an  awful  spectacle  at  night  to  be- 
hold the  volumes  of  black  smoke  mingled  with 
lurid  flames  rising  from  the  burning  suburbs,  and 
the  women  on  the  walls  of  the  town  wringing 
their  hands  and  shrieking  at  the  desolation  of 
their  dwellings. 

The  destroying  army,  on  arriving  at  the  sea- 
coast,  found  vessels  lying  off  shore  laden  with  all 
kinds  of  provisions  and  munitions  sent  from  Sev- 
ille and  Xeres,  and  was  thus  enabled  to  con- 
tinue its  desolating  career.  Advancing  to  the 
neighborhood  of  Malaga,  it  was  bravely  assailed 
by  the  Moors  of  that  city,  and  there  was  severe 
skirmishing  for  a whole  day  ; but  while  the  main 
part  of  the  army  encountered  the  enemy,  the 
rest  ravaged  the  whole  vega  and  destroyed  all 
the  mills.  As  the  object  of  the  expedition  was 
not  to  capture  places,  but  merely  to  burn,  ravage,  # 
und  destroy,  the  host,  satisfied  with  the  mischief 
13 


194 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


they  had  done  in  the  vega,  turned  their  backs 
upon  Malaga,  and  again  entered  the  mountains. 
They  passed  by  Coin,  and  through  the  regions  of 
Allazayna,  and  Gatero,  and  Alhaurin  ; all  which 
were  likewise  desolated.  In  this  way  did  they 
make  the  circuit  of  a chain  of  rich  and  verdant 
valleys,  the  glory  of  those  mountains  and  the 
pride  and  delight  of  the  Moors.  For  forty  days 
did  they  continue  on  like  a consuming  fire,  leav- 
ing a smoking  and  howling  waste  to  mark  their 
course,  until,  weary  with  the  work  of  destruction, 
and  having  fully  sated  their  revenge  for  the  mas- 
sacre of  the  Axarquia,  they  returned  in  triumph 
to  the  meadows  of  Antiquera. 

In  the  month  of  June,  king  Ferdinand  took 
command  in  person  of  this  destructive  army ; he 
increased  its  force,  and  added  to  its  means  of 
mischief  several  lombards  and  other  heavy  artil- 
lery, intended  for  the  battering  of  towns,  and 
managed  by  engineers  from  France  and  Ger- 
many. With  these,  the  marques  of  Cadiz  as- 
sured the  king,  he  would  soon  be  able  to  reduce 
the  Moorish  fortresses,  which  were  only  calcu- 
lated for  defense  against  the  engines  anciently 
used  in  warfare.  Their  walls  and  towers  were 
high  and  thin,  depending  for  security  on  their 
rough  and  rocky  situations.  The  stone  and  iron 
balls  thundered  from  the  lombards  would  soon 
tumble  them  in  ruins  upon  the  heads  of  their  de- 
fenders. 

The  fate  of  Alora  speedily  proved  the  truth 
of  this  opinion.  It  was  strongly  posted  on  a 
rock  washed  by  a river.  The  artillery  soon  bat- 


CAPTURE  OF  ALORA  AND  SETENIL,  195 

tered  down  two  of  the  towers  and  a part  of  the 
wall.  The  Moors  were  thrown  into  consterna- 
tion at  the  vehemence  of  the  assault,  and  the 
effect  of  those  tremendous  engines  upon  their 
vaunted  bulwarks.  The  roaring  of  the  artillery 
and  the  tumbling  of  the  walls  terrified  the  women, 
who  beset  the  alcayde  with  vociferous  supplica- 
tions to  surrender.  The  place  was  given  up  on 
the  20th  of  June,  on  condition  that  the  inhabi- 
tants might  depart  with  their  effects.  The  people 
of  Malaga,  as  yet  unacquainted  with  the  power 
of  this  battering  ordnance,  were  so  incensed  at 
those  of  Alora  for  wl]^t  they  considered  a tame 
surrender,  that  they  would  not  admit  them  into 
their  city. 

A similar  fate  attended  the  town  of  Setenil, 
built  on  a lofty  rock,  and  esteemed  impregnable. 
Many  times  had  it  been  besieged  under  former 
Christian  kings,  but  never  taken.  Even  now, 
for  several  days  the  artillery  was  directed  against 
it  without  effect,  and  many  of  the  cavaliers  mur- 
mured at  the  marques  of  Cadiz  for  having  coun- 
seled the  king  to  attack  this  unconquerable  place.^ 

On  the  same  night  that  these  reproaches  were 
uttered,  the  marques  directed  the  artillery  him- 
self : he  leveled  the  lombards  at  the  bottom  of 
the  walls  and  at  the  gates.  In  a little  while  the 
gates  were  battered  to  pieces,  a great  breach  was 
effected  in  the  walls,  and  the  Moors  were  fain  to 
capitulate.  Twenty-four  Christian  captains,  who 
had  been  taken  in  the  defeat  of  the  mountains  of 
Malaga,  were  rescued  from  the  dungeons  of  this 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios, 


196 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


fortress,  and  hailed  the  marques  as  their  deliv- 
erer. 

Needless  is  it  to  mention  the  capture  of  va- 
rious other  places,  which  surrendered  without 
waiting  to  be  attacked.  The  Moors  had  alw^ays 
shown  great  bravery  and  perseverance  in  defend- 
ing their  towns  ; they  were  formidable  in  their 
sallies  and  skirmishes,  and  patient  in  enduring 
hunger  and  thirst  when  besieged ; but  this  ter- 
rible ordnance,  which  demolished  their  walls  with 
such  ease  and  rapidity,  overwhelmed  them  with 
dismay,  and  rendered  vain  all  resistance.  King 
Ferdinand  was  so  struck  with  the  effect  of  this 
artillery,  that  he  ordered  the  number  of  lombards 
to  be  increased ; and  these  potent  engines  had 
henceforth  a great  influence  on  the  fortunes  of 
this  war. 

The  last  operation  of  this  year,  so  disastrous  to 
the  Moors,  was  an  inroad  by  Ferdinand,  in  the 
latter  part  of  summer,  into  the  vega,  in  which  he 
ravaged  the  country,  burned  two  villages  near  to 
Granada,  and  destroyed  the  mills  near  the  very 
gates  of  the  city. 

Old  Muley  Abul  Hassan  was  overwhelmed 
with  dismay  at  the  desolation  which,  during  the 
whole  year,  had  raged  throughout  his  territories, 
and  had  now  reached  the  walls  of  his  capital. 
His  fierce  spirit  was  broken  by  misfortunes  and 
infirmity ; he  offered  to  purchase  a peace,  and  to 
hold  his  crown  as  a tributary  vassal.  Ferdinand 
would  listen  to  no  propositions : the  absolute  con- 
quest of  Granada  was  the  great  object  of  this 
war,  and  he  was  resolved  never  to  rest  content 


TRIUMPHAL  RETURN  OF  FERDINAND.  197 


without  its  complete  fulfillment.  Having  sup- 
plied and  strengthened  the  garrisons  of  the  places 
taken  in  the  heart  of  the  Moorish  territories,  he 
enjoined  their  commanders  to  render  every  as- 
sistance to  the  younger  Moorish  king,  in  the  civil 
war  against  his  father.  He  then  returned  with 
his  army  to  Cordova,  in  great  triumph,  closing  a 
series  of  ravaging  campaigns,  which  had  filled 
the  kingdom  of  Granada  with  grief  and  conster- 
nation. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Attempt  of  El  Zagal  to  surprise  Boabdil  in  Almeria. 

jK^^^lURING  this  year  of  sorrow  and  disas- 
ig  ter  to  the  Moors,  the  younger  king 

Boabdil,  most  truly  called  the  Unfortu- 
nate, held  a diminished  and  feeble  court  in  the 
maritime  city  of  Almeria.  He  retained  little 
more  than  the  name  of  king,  and  was  supported 
in  even  this  shadow  of  royalty  by  the  counte- 
nance and  treasures  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns. 
Still  he  trusted  that,  in  the  fluctuation  of  events, 
the  inconstant  nation  might  once  more  return  to 
his  standard,  and  replace  him  on  the  throne  of 
the  Alhambra. 

His  mother,  the  high-spirited  sultana,  Ayxa  la 
Horra,'  endeavored  to  rouse  him  from  this  passive 
state.  It  is  a feeble  mind,”  said  she,  “ that 
waits  for  the  turn  of  fortune’s  wheel ; the  brave 
mind  seizes  upon  it,  and  turns  it  to  its  purpose. 
Take  the  field,  and  you  may  drive  danger  before 
you ; remain  cowering  at  home,  and  it  besieges 
you  in  your  dwelling.  By  a bold  enterprise,  you 
may  regain  your  splendid  throne  in  Granada ; by 
passive  forbearance,  you  will  forfeit  even  this 
miserable  throne  in  Almeria.” 

Boabdil  had  not  the  force  of  soul  to  follow 


CON SP IRA  cr  A GAINS  T B OABDIL.  199 


these  courageous  counsels,  and  in  a little  time 
the  evils  his  mother  had  predicted  fell  upon  him. 

Old  Mu  ley  Abul  Hassan  was  almost  extin- 
guished by  age  and  paralysis.  He  had  nearly 
lost  his  sight,  and  was  completely  bed-ridden. 
His  brother,  Abdallah,  surnamed  El  Zagal,  or 
the  Valiant,  the  same  who  had  assisted  in  the 
massacre  of  the  Spanish  chivalry  among  the 
mountains  of  Malaga,  was  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Moorish  armies,  and  gradually  took  upon 
himself  most  of  the  cares  of  sovereignty.  Among 
other  things,  he  was  particularly  zealous  in  es- 
pousing his  brother’s  quarrel  with  his  son ; and 
he  prosecuted  it  with  such  vehemence,  that  many 
affirmed  there  was  something  more  than  mere 
fraternal  sympathy  at  the  bottom  of  his  zeal. 

The  disasters  and  disgraces  inflicted  on  the 
country  by  the  Christians  during  this  year  had 
wounded  the  national  feelings  of  the  people  of 
Almeria ; and  many  felt  indignant  that  Boabdil 
should  remain  passive  at  such  a time,  or  rather, 
should  appear  to  make  a common  cause  with  the 
enemy.  His  uncle,  Abdallah,  diligently  fomented 
this  feeling  by  his  agents.  The  same  arts  were 
made  use  of  that  had  been  successful  in  Granada. 
Boabdil  was  secretly  but  actively  denounced  by 
the  alfaquis  as  an  apostate,  leagued  with  the 
Christians  against  his  country  and  his  early  faith  ; 
the  affections  of  the  populace  and  soldiery  were 
gradually  alienated  from  him,  and  a deep  conspir 
acy  concerted  for  his  destruction. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1485,  El  Zagal 
suddenly  appeared  before  Almeria,  at  the  head 


200 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


of  a troop  of  horse.  The  alfaquis  were  prepared 
for  his  arrival,  and  the  gates  were  thrown  open 
to  him.  He  entered  with  his  band,  and  galloped 
to  the  citadel.  The  alcayde  would  have  made 
resistance  ; but  the  garrison  put  him  to  death, 
and  received  El  Zagal  with  acclamations.  The 
latter  rushed  through  the  apartments  of  the  Al- 
cazar, but  he  sought  in  vain  for  Boabdil.  He 
found  the  sultana,  Ayxa  la  Horra,  in  one  of  the 
saloons,  with  Aben  Haxig,  a younger  brother  of 
the  monarch,  and  several  Abencerrages,  who  ral- 
lied round  them  to  protect  them.  “ Where  is 
the  traitor  Boabdil  ? ” exclaimed  El  Zagal.  “ I 
know  no  traitor  more  perfidious  than  thyself,”  ex- 
claimed the  intrepid  sultana ; “ and  I trust  my 
son  is  in  safety,  to  take  vengeance  on  thy  trea- 
son.” The  rage  of  El  Zagal  was  without  bounds 
when  he  learned  that  his  intended  victim  had 
escaped.  In  his  fury  he  slew  the  prince  Aben 
Haxig,  and  his  followers  fell  upon  and  massacred 
the  Abencerrages.  As  to  the  proud  sultana,  she 
was  borne  away  prisoner,  and  loaded  with  revil- 
ings,  as  having  upheld  her  son  in  his  rebellion, 
and  fomented  a civil  war. 

The  unfortunate  Boabdil  had  been  apprised  of 
his  danger  by  a faithful  soldier,  just  in  time  to 
make  his  escape.  Throwing  himself  on  one  of 
his  fleetest  horses,  and  followed  by  a handful 
of  adherents,  he  galloped  in  the  confusion  out 
of  the  gates  of  Almeria.  Several  of  the  cavalry 
of  El  Zagal,  stationed  without  the  walls,  per- 
ceived his  flight,  and  attempted  to  pursue  him ; 
their  horses  were  jaded  with  travel,  and  he  soon 


FLIGHT  OF  BOABDIL. 


201 


left  them  far  behind.  But  whither  was  he  to  fly  ? 
Every  fortress  and  castle  in  the  kingdom  of  Gran- 
ada was  closed  against  him  ; he  knew  not  whom 
among  the  Moors  to  trust,  for  they  had  been 
taught  to  detest  him  as  a traitor  and  an  apostate. 
He  had  no  alternative  but  to  seek  refuge  among 
the  Christians,  his  hereditary  enemies.  With  a 
heavy  heart,  he  turned  his  horse’s  head  towards 
Cordova.  He  had  to  lurk,  like  a fugitive, 
through  a part  of  his  own  dominions ; nor  did 
he  feel  himself  secure  until  he  had  passed  the 
frontier,  and  beheld  the  mountain  barrier  of  his 
country  towering  behind  him.  Then  it  was  that 
he  became  conscious  of  his  humiliating  state  — a 
fugitive  from  his  throne,  an  outcast  from  his  na- 
tion, a king  without  a kingdom.  He  smote  his 
breast,  in  an  agony  of  grief : “ Evil  indeed,”  ex- 
claimed he,  “ was  the  day  of  my  birth,  and  truly 
was  I named  El  Zogoybi,  the  Unlucky.” 

He  entered  the  gates  of  Cordova  with  down- 
cast countenance,  and  with  a train  of  but  forty 
followers.  The  sovereigns  were  absent ; but  the 
cavaliers  of  Andalusia  manifested  that*  sympathy 
in  the  misfortunes  of  the  monarch  which  becomes 
men  of  lofty  and  chivalrous  souls.  They  re- 
ceived him  with  great  distinction,  attended  him 
with  the  utmost  courtesy,  and  he  was  honorably 
entertained  by  the  civil  and  military  commanders 
of  that  ancient  city. 

In  the  mean  time,  El  Zagal  put  a new  alcayde 
over  Almeria,  to  govern  in  the  name  of  his 
brother ; and,  having  strongly  garrisoned  the 
place,  repaired  to  Malaga,  where  an  attack  of 


202 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  Christians  was  apprehended.  The  young 
monarch  being  driven  out  of  the  land,  and  the 
old  monarch  blind  and  bed-ridden,  El  Zagal,  at 
the  head  of  tiie  armies,  was  virtually  the  sove- 
reign of  Granada.  He  was  supported  by  the 
brave  and  powerful  family  of  the  Alnayans  and 
Venegas ; the  people  were  pleased  with  having  a 
new  idol  to  look  up  to,  and  a new  name  to  shout 
forth ; and  El  Zagal  was  hailed  with  acclama- 
tions, as  the  main  hope  of  the  nation. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

How  King  Eerdinand  commenced  another  Campaign  agafnst 
the  Moors,  and  how  he  laid  Siege  to  Coin  and  Cartama. 

HE  recent  effect  of  the  battering  ord- 
nance in  demolishing  the  Moorish  for- 
tresses, induced  king  Ferdinand  to  pro- 
cure a powerful  train  for  the  campaign  of  1485, 
intending  to  assault  some  of  the  most  formidable 
holds  of  the  enemy.  An  army  of  nine  thousand 
cavalry  and  twenty  thousand  infantry  assembled 
at  Cordova,  early  in  the  spring;  and  the  king 
took  the  field  on  the  5th  of  April.  It  had  been 
determined  in  secret  council,  to  attack  the  city  of 
Malaga,  that  ancient  and  important  seaport,  on 
which  Granada  depended  for  foreign  aid  and  sup- 
plies. It  was  thought  proper  previously,  how- 
ever, to  get  possession  of  various  towns  and  for- 
tresses in  the  valleys  of  Santa  Maria  and  Car- 
tama, through  which  pass  the  roads  to  Malaga. 

The  first  place  assailed  was  the  town  of  Bena- 
mexi  or  Bonameji.  It  had  submitted  to  the  Cath- 
olic sovereigns  in  the  preceding  year,  but  had 
since  renounced  it*  allegiance.  King  Ferdinand 
was  enraged  at  the  rebellion  of  the  inhabitants. 
‘‘  I will  make  their  punishment,”  said  he,  a ter- 
ror to  others : they  shall  be  loyal  through  force. 


204 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


if  not  through  faith.”  The  place  was  carried  by 
storm  : one  hundred  and  eight  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  were  either  put  to  the  sword  or 
hanged  on  the  battlements : the  rest  were  carried 
into  captivity.^ 

The  towns  of  Coin  and  Cartama  were  be- 
sieged on  the  same  day ; the  first  by  a division  of 
the  army  led  on  by  the  marques  of  .Cadiz,  the 
second  by  another  division  commanded  by  Don 
Alonzo  de  Aguilar  and  Louis  Fernandez  Puerto 
Carrero,  the  brave  senior  of  Palma.  The  king, 
with  the  rest  of  the  army,  remained  posted  be- 
tween the  two  places,  to  render  assistance  to  either 
division.  The  batteries  opened  upon  both  places 
at  the  same  time,  and  the  thunder  of  the  lombards 
was  mutually  heard  from  one  camp  to  the  other. 
The  Moors  made  frequent  sallies  and  a valiant 
defense ; but  they  were  confounded  by  the  tre- 
mendous uproar  of  the  batteries,  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  walls.  In  the  mean  time,  the  alarm- 
fires  gathered  together  the  Moorish  mountaineers 
of  all  the  Serrania,  who  assembled  in  great  num- 
bers in  the  city  of  Monda,  about  a league  from 
Coin.  They  made  several  attempts  to  enter  the 
besieged  town,  but  in  vain : they  were  each  time 
intercepted  and  driven  back  by  the  Christians, 
and  were  reduced  to  gaze  at  a distance  in  despair 
on  the  destruction  of  the  place.  While  thus 
situated,  there  rode  one  day  into  Monda  a fierce 
and  haughty  Moorish  chieftain,  at  the  head  of  a 
band  of  swarthy  African  horsemen  : it  was  Hamet 
el  Zegri,  the  fiery  spirited  alcayde  of  Ronda,  at 
1 Pulgar,  Garibay,  Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


SEIGE  OF  COIN, 


205 


the  head  of  his  band  of  Gomeres.  He  had  not 
yet  recovered  from  the  rage  and  mortification  of 
his  defeat  on  the  banks  of  the  Lopera,  in  the  dis- 
astrous foray  of  old  Bexir,  when  he  had  been 
obliged  to  steal  back  furtively  to  his  mountains, 
with  the  loss  of  the  bravest  of  his  followers.  He 
had  ever  since  panted  for  revenge.  He  now  rode 
among  the  host  of  warriors  assembled  at  Monda. 
“ Who  among  you,”  cried  he  “ feels  pity  for  the 
women  and  children  of  Coin,  exposed  to  captivity 
and  death  ? Whoever  he  is,  let  him  follow  me, 
who  am  ready  to  die  as  a Moslem  for  the  relief 
of  Moslems.”  So  saying,  he  seized  a white  ban- 
ner, and,  waving  it  over  his  head,  rode  forth 
from  the  town,  followed  by  the  Gomeres.  Many 
of  the  warriors,  roused  by  his  words  and  his  ex- 
ample, spurred  resolutely  after  his  banner.  The 
people  of  Coin,  being  prepared  for  this  attempt, 
sallied  forth  as  they  saw  the  white  banner,  and 
made  an  attack  upon  the  Christian  camp ; and 
in  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  Hamet  and  his 
followers  galloped  into  the  gates.  This  rein- 
forcement animated  the  besieged,  and  Hamet  ex- 
horted them  to  hold  out  obstinately  in  defense  of 
life  and  town.  As  the  Gomeres  were  veteran 
warriors,  the  more  they  were  attacked  the  harder 
they  fought. 

At  length,  a great  breach  was  made  in  the 
walls,  and  Ferdinand,  who  was  impatient  of  the 
resistance  of  the  place,  ordered  the  duke  of  Nax- 
ara  and  the  count  of  Benavente  to  enter  with 
their  troops  ; and  as  their  forces  were  not  suf- 
ficient, he  sent  word  to  Louis  de  Cerda,  duke  of 


206 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Medina  Celi,  to  send  a part  of  his  people  to  their 
assistance. 

The  feudal  pride  of  the  duke  was  roused  at 
this  demand.  “ Tell  my  lord  the  king/’  said  the 
haughty  grandee,  “ that  I have  come  to  succor 
him  with  my  household  troops:  if  my  people  are 
ordered  to  any  place,  I am  to  go  with  them  ; but 
if  I am  to  remain  in  the  camp,  my  people  must 
remain  with  me.  For  the  troops  cannot  serve 
without  their  commander,  nor  their  commander 
without  his  troops.” 

The  reply  of  the  high-spirited  grandee  per- 
plexed the  cautious  Ferdinand,  who  knew  the 
jealous  pride  of  his  powerful  nobles.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  people  of  the  camp,  having  made 
all  preparations  for  the  assault,  were  impatient 
to  be  led  forward.  Upon  this,  Pero  Ruyz  de 
Alarcon  put  himself  at  their  head,  and,  seizing 
their  mantas,  or  portable  bulwarks,  and  their 
other  defenses,  they  made  a gallant  assault,  and 
fought  their  way  in  at  the  breach.  The  Moors 
were  so  overcome  by  the  fury  of  their  assault, 
that  they  retreated,  fighting,  to  the  square  of  the 
town.  Pero  Ruyz  de  Alarcon  thought  the  place 
was  carried,  when  suddenly  Hamet  and  his  Go- 
meres  came  scouring  through  the  streets  with 
wild  war-cries,  and  fell  furiously  upon  the  Chris- 
tians. The  latter  were  in  their  turn  beaten  back, 
and,  while  attacked  in  the  front  by  the  Gomeres, 
were  assailed  by  the  inhabitants  with  all  kinds  of 
missiles  from  their  roofs  and  windows.  They  at 
length  gave  way  and  retreated  through  the  breach. 
Pero  Ruyz  de  Alarcon  still  maintained  his  ground 


CAPTURE  OF  COIN  AND  CART  AM  A.  207 


in  one  of  the  principal  streets  — the  few  cavaliers 
that  stood  by  him  urged  him  to  fly  : “ No,”  said 
he  ; “I  came  here  to  fight,  and  not  to  fly.”  He 
was  presently  surrounded  by  the  Gomeres  ; his 
companions  fled  for  their  lives ; the  last  they  saw 
of  him,  he  was  covered  with  wounds,  but  still 
fighting  desperately  for  the  fame  of  a good  cava- 
lier.^ 

The  resistance  of  the  inhabitants,  though  aided 
by  the  valor  of  the  Gomeres,  was  of  no  avail. 
The  battering  artillery  of  the  Christians  demol- 
ished their  walls  ; combustibles  thrown  into  their 
town,  set  it  on  fire  in  various  places ; and  they 
were  at  length  compelled  to  capitulate.  They 
were  permitted  to  depart  with  their  effects,  and 
the  Gomeres  with  their  arms.  Hamet  el  Zegri 
and  his  African  band  rode  proudly  through  the 
Christian  camp ; nor  could  the  Spanish  cavaliers 
refrain  from  regarding  with  admiration  that 
haughty  warrior  and  his  devoted  and  dauntless 
followers. 

• The  capture  of  Coin  was  accompanied  by  that 
of  Cartama : the  fortifications  of  the  latter  were 
repaired  and  garrisoned  ; but  Coin,  being  too  ex- 
tensive to  be  defended  by  a moderate  force,  its 
walls  were  demolished.  The  siege  of  these 
places  struck  such  terror  into  the  surrounding 
country,  that  the  Moors  of  many  of  the  neigh- 
boring towns  abandoned  their  homes,  and  fled 
with  such  of  their  effects  as  they  could  carry 
away  ; upon  which  the  king  gave  order  to  de- 
molish their  walls  and  towers. 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  42. 


208 


CONQUEST  OF  OMAN  ADA. 


King  Ferdinand  now  left  his  camp  and  his  heavy 
artillery  near  Cartama,  and  proceeded  with  his 
lighter  troops  to  reconnoitre  Malaga.  By  this 
time,  the  secret  plan  of  attack,  arranged  in  the 
council  of  war  at  Cordova,  was  known  to  all  the 
world.  The  vigilant  warrior,  El  Zagal,  had 
thrown  himself  into  the  place,  put  all  the  fortifi- 
cations, which  were  of  vast  strength,  into  a state 
of  defense,  and  sent  orders  to  the  alcaydes  of  the 
mountain  towns,  to  hasten  with  their  forces  to 
his  assistance. 

The  very  day  that  Ferdinand  appeared  before 
the  place,  El  Zagal  sallied  forth  to  receive  him, 
at  the  head  of  a thousand  cavalry,  the  choicest 
warriors  of  Granada.  A sharp  skirmish  took 
place  among  the  gardens  and  olive-trees  near  the 
city.  Many  were  killed  on  both  sides  ; and  this 
gave  the  Christians  a foretaste  of  what  they  might 
expect,  if  they  attempted  to  besiege  the  place. 

When  the  skirmish  was  over,  the  marques  of 
Cadiz  had  a private  conference  with  the  king. 
He  represented  the  difficulty  of  besieging  Mal- 
aga with  their  present  force,  especially  as  their 
plans  had  been  discovered  and  anticipated,  and 
the  whole  country  was  marching  to  oppose  them. 
The  marques,  who  had  secret  intelligence  from 
all  quarters,  had  received  a letter  from  Juceph 
Xerife,  a Moor  of  Ronda,  of  Christian  lineage, 
apprising  him  of  the  situation  of  that  important 
place  and  its  garrison,  which  at  that  moment  laid 
it  open  to  attack  ; and  the  marques  was  urgent 
with  the  king  to  seize  upon  this  critical  moment, 
and  secure  a place  which  was  one  of  the  most 


SIEGE  OF  MALAGA  RAISED. 


209 


powerful  Moorish  fortresses  on  the  frontiers,  and 
in  the  hands  of  Hamet  el  Zegri  had  been  the 
scourge  of  Andalusia.  The  good  marques  had 
another  motive  for  his  advice,  becoming  of  a true 
and  loyal  knight.  In  the  deep  dungeons  of  Ronda 
languished  several  of  his  companions  in  arms, 
who  had  been  captured  in  the  defeat  in  the 
Axarquia.  To  break  their  chains,  and  restore 
them  to  liberty  and  light,  he  felt  to  be  his  pecu- 
liar duty,  as  one  of  those  who  had  most  promoted 
tliat  disastrous  enterprise. 

King  Ferdinand  listened  to  the  advice  of  the 
marques.  He  knew  the  importance  of  Ronda, 
which  was  considered  one  of  the  keys  to  the 
kingdom  of  Granada  ; and  he  was  disposed  to 
punish  the  inhabitants,  for  the  aid  they  had  ren- 
dered to  the  garrison  of  Coin.  The  siege  of 
Malaga,  therefore,  was  abandoned  for  the  present, 
and  preparations  made  for  a rapid  and  secret 
move  against  the  city  of  Ronda. 

14 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Siege  of  Ronda. 

HE  bold  Hamet  el  Zegri,  the  alcayde  of 
Honda,  had  returned  sullenly  to  his 
stronghold  after  the  surrender  of  Coin. 
He  had  fleshed  his  sword  in  battle  with  the 
Christians,  but  his  thirst  for  vengeance  was  still 
unsatisfied.  Hamet  gloried  in  the  strength  of 
his  fortress,  and  the  valor  of  his  people.  A fierce 
and  warlike  populace  was  at  his  command ; his 
signal-fires  could  summon  all  the  warriors  of  the 
Serrania  ; his  Gomeres  almost  subsisted  on  the 
spoils  of  Andalusia  ; and  in  the  rock  on  which 
his  fortress  was  built,  were  hopeless  dungeons, 
filled  with  Christian  captives,  carried  off  by  these 
war-hawks  of  the  mountains. 

Honda  was  considered  as  impregnable.  It 
was  situated  in  the  heart  of  wild  and  rugged 
mountains,  and  perched  upon  an  isolated  rock, 
crested  by  a strong  citadel,  with  triple  walls  and 
towers.  A deep  ravine,  or  rather  a perpendicu- 
lar chasm  of  the  rocks,  of  frightful  depth,  sur- 
rounded three  parts  of  the  city ; through  this 
flowed  the  Hio  Verde,  or  Green  Hiver.  There 
were  two  suburbs  to  the  city,  fortified  by  walls 
and  towers,  and  almost  inaccessible,  from  the  nat- 


INROAD  OF  HAMET  EL  ZEGRL  211 


ural  asperity  of  the  rocks.  Around  this  rugged 
city  were  deep,  rich  valleys,  sheltered  by  the 
mountains,  refreshed  by  constant  streams,  abound- 
ing with  grain  and  the  most  delicious  fruits,  and 
yielding  verdant  meadows,  in  which  was  reared  a 
renowned  breed  of  horses,  the  best  in  the  whole 
kingdom  for  a foray. 

Hamet  el  Zegri  had  scarcely  returned  to 
Ronda,  when  he  received  intelligence  that  the 
Christian  army  was  marching  to  the  siege  of 
Malaga,  and  orders  from  El  Zagal  to  send  troops 
to  his  assistance.  Hamet  sent  a part  of  his  gar- 
rison for  that  purpose  ; in  the  mean  time,  he 
meditated  an  expedition  to  which  he  was  stim- 
ulated by  pride  and  revenge.  All  Andalusia  was 
now  drained  of  its  troops  ; there  was  an  oppor- 
tunity therefore  for  an  inroad,  by  which  he  might 
wipe  out  the  disgrace  of  his  defeat  at  the  battle 
of  Lopera.  Apprehending  no  danger  to  his 
mountain  city,  now  that  the  storm  of  war  had 
passed  down  into  the  vega  of  Malaga,  he  left  but 
a remnant  of  his  garrison  to  man  its  walls,  and, 
putting  himself  at  the  head  of  his  band  of  Gom- 
eres,  swept  down  suddenly  into  the  plains  of  An- 
dalusia. He  careered,  almost  without  resistance, 
over  those  vast  campihas  or  pasture  lands,  which 
formed  a part  of  the  domains  of  the  duke  of  Me- 
dina Sidonia.  In  vain  the  bells  were  rung,  and 
the  alarm  fires  kindled  — the  band  of  Hamet  had 
passed  by,  before  any  force  could  be  assembled, 
and  was  only  to  be  traced,  like  a hurricane,  by 
the  devastation  it  had  made. 

Hamet  regained  in  safety  the  Serrania  da 


212 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Ronda,  exulting  in  his  successful  inroad.  The 
mountain  glens  were  filled  with  long  droves  of 
cattle  and  hocks  of  sheep,  from  the  campinas  of 
Medina  Sidonia.  There  were  mules,  too,  laden 
with  the  plunder  of  the  villages  ; and  every  war-* 
rior  had  some  costly  spoil  of  jewels,  for  his  favor- 
ite mistress. 

As  the  Zegri  drew  near  to  Ronda,  he  was 
roused  from  his  dream  of  triumph  by  the  sound 
of  heavy  ordnance  bellowing  through  the  moun- 
tain defiles.  His  heart  misgave  him  — he  put 
spurs  to  his  horse,  and  galloped  in  advance  of 
his  lagging  cavalgada.  As  he  proceeded,  the 
noise  of  the  ordnance  increased,  echoing  from  cliff 
to  cliff.  Spurring  his  horse  up  a craggy  height 
which  commanded  an  extensive  view,  he  beheld, 
to  his  consternation,  the  country  about  Ronda, 
white  with  the  tents  of  a besieging  army.  The 
royal  standard,  displayed  before  a proud  encamp- 
ment, showed  that  F erdinand  himself  was  present ; 
while  the  incessant  blaze  and  thunder  of  artillery, 
and  the  volumes  of  overhanging  smoke,  told  the 
work  of  destruction  that  was  going  on. 

The  royal  army  had  succeeded  in  coming  upon 
Ronda  by  surprise,  during  the  absence  of  its  al- 
cayde  and  most  of  its  garrison  ; but  its  inhab- 
itants were  warlike,  and  defended  themselves 
bravely,  trusting  that  Hamet  and  his  Gomeres 
would  soon  return  to  their  assistance. 

The  fancied  strength  of  their  bulwarks  had  been 
of  little  avail  against  the  batteries  of  the  besiegers. 
In  the  space  of  four  days,  three  towers,  and  great 
masses  of  the  walls  which  defended  the  suburbs, 


SIEGE  OF  RON  DA. 


213 


were  battered  down,  and  the  suburbs  taken  and 
plundered.  Lombards  and  other  heavy  ordnance 
were  now  leveled  at  the  walls  of  the  city,  and 
stones  and  missiles  of  all  kinds  hurled  into  the 
streets.  The  very  rock  on  which  the  city  stood 
shook  with  the  thunder  of  the  artillery  ; and  the 
Christian  captives,  deep  within  its  dungeons, 
hailed  the  sound  as  the  promise  of  deliverance. 

When  Hamet  el  Zegri  beheld  his  city  thus  sur- 
rounded and  assailed,  he  called  upon  his  men  to 
follow  him,  and  cut  their  way  through  to  its  relief. 
They  proceeded  stealthily  through  the  mountains, 
until  they  came  to  the  nearest  heights  above  the 
Christian  camp.  When  night  fell,  and  part  of  the 
army  was  sunk  in  sleep,  they  descended  the  rocks, 
and,  rushing  suddenly  upon  the  weakest  part  of 
the  camp,  endeavored  to  break  their  way  through 
and  gain  the  city.  The  camp  was  too  strong  to 
be  forced ; they  were  driven  back  to  the  crags  of 
the  mountains,  whence  they  defended  themselves 
by  showering  down  darts  and  stones  upon  their 
pursuers. 

Hamet  now  lit  alarm-fires  about  the  heights  : 
his  standard  was  joined  by  the  neighboring  moun- 
taineers, and  by  troops  from  Malaga.  Thus  rein- 
forced, he  made  repeated  assaults  upon  the  Chris- 
tians, cutting  off  all  stragglers  from  the  camp. 
All  his  attempts  to  force  his  way  into  the  city, 
however,  were  fruitless ; many  of  his  bravest 
men  were  slain,  and  he  was  obliged  to  retreat 
into  the  fastnesses  of  the  mountains. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  distress  of  Ronda  in- 
•reased  hourly.  The  marques  of  Cadiz,  having 


214 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


possession  of  the  suburbs,  was  enabled  to  ap- 
proach to  the  very  foot  of  the  perpendicular  prec- 
ipice rising  from  the  river,  on  the  summit  of 
which  the  city  is  built.  At  the  foot  of  this  rock 
is  a living  fountain  of  limpid  water,  gushing  into 
a great  natural  basin.  A secret  mine  led  down 
from  within  the  city  to  this  fountain,  by  several 
hundred  steps  cut  in  the  solid  rock.  Hence  the 
city  obtained  its  chief  supply  of  water ; and  these 
steps  were  deeply  worn  by  the  weary  feet  of 
Christian  captives,  employed  in  this  painful  labor. 
The  marques  of  Cadiz  discovered  this  subterra- 
neous passage,  and  directed  his  pioneers  to  coun- 
termine in  the  side  of  the  rock ; they  pierced  to 
the  shaft,  and,  stopping  it  up,  deprived  the  city 
of  the  benefit  of  this  precious  fountain. 

While  the  marques  was  thus  pressing  the 
siege  with  the  generous  thought  of  soon  delivering 
his  companions  in  arms  from  the  Moorish  dun- 
geons, far  other  were  the  feelings  of  the  alcayde, 
Hamet  el  Zegri.  He  smote  his  breast  and 
gnashed  his  teeth  in  impotent  fury,  as  he  beheld 
from  the  mountain  cliffs  the  destruction  of  the 
city.  Every  thunder  of  the  Christian  ordnance 
seemed  to  batter  against  his  heart.  He  saw 
tower  after  tower  tumbling  by  day,  and  various 
parts  of  the  city  in  a blaze  at  night.  “ They 
fired  not  merely  stones  from  their  ordnance,” 
says  a chronicler  of  the  times,  “ but  likewise  great 
balls  of  iron,  cast  in  moulds,  which  demolished 
everything  they  struck.”  They  threw  also  balls 
of  tow,  steeped  in  pitch  and  oil  and  gunpowder, 
which,  when  once  on  fire,  were  not  to  be  extin- 


ROND  A SURRENDERS. 


215 


giiished,  and  which  set  the  houses  in  flames. 
Great  was  the  horror  of  the  inhabitants : they 
knew  not  where  to  fly  for  refuge : their  houses 
were  in  a blaze,  or  shattered  by  the  ordnance ; 
the  streets  were  perilous  from  the  falling  ruins 
and  the  bounding  balls,  which  dashed  to  pieces 
everything  they  encountered.  At  night,  the  city 
looked  like  a fiery  furnace ; the  cries  and  wail- 
ings of  the  women  between  the  thunders  of  the 
ordnance,  reached  even  to  the  Moors  on  the  op- 
posite mountains,  who  answered  them  by  yells  of 
fury  and  despair. 

All  hope  of  external  succor  being  at  an  end, 
the  inhabitants  of  Ronda  were  compelled. to  cap- 
itulate. Ferdinand  was  easily  prevailed  upon  to 
grant  them  favorable  terms.  The  place  was  ca- 
pable of  longer  resistance ; and  he  feared  for  the 
safety  of  his  camp,  as  the  forces  were  daily  aug- 
menting on  the  mountains,  and  making  frequent 
assaults.  The  inhabitants  were  permitted  to  de- 
part with  their  effects,  either  to  Barbary,  Granada, 
or  elsewhere;  and  those  who  chose  to  reside  in 
Spain  had  lands  assigned  them,  and  were  in- 
dulged in  the  practice  of  their  religion. 

No  sooner  did  the  place  surrender,  than  de- 
tachments were  sent  to  attack  the  Moors  who 
hovered  about  the  neighboring  mountains.  Ha- 
met  el  Zegri,  however,  did  not  remain  to  make  a 
fruitless  battle.  He  gave  up  the  game  as  lost, 
and  retreated  with  his  Gomeres,  filled  with  grief 
and  rage,  but  trusting  to  fortune  to  give  him 
fiiture  vengeance.  • 

The  first  care  of  the  good  marques  of  Cadiz, 


216 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


on  entering  Ronda,  was  to  deliver  his  unfortunate 
companions  in  arms  from  the  dungeons  of  the 
fortress.  What  a difference  in  their  looks  from 
the  time  when,  flushed  with  health  and  hope,  and 
arrayed  in  military  pomp,  they  had  sallied  forth 
upon  the  mountain  foray!  Many  of  them  were 
almost  naked,  with  irons  at  their  ankles,  and 
beards  reaching  to  their  waists.  Their  meeting 
with  the  marques  was  joyful ; yet  it  had  the  look 
of  grief,  for  their  joy  was  mingled  with  many 
bitter  recollections.  There  was  an  immense  num- 
ber of  other  captives,  among  whom  were  several 
young  men  of  noble  families,  who,  with  filial 
piety,  had  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  in 
place  of  their  fathers. 

The  captives  were  all  provided  with  mules,  and 
sent  to  the  queen  at  Cordova.  The  humane  heart 
of  Isabella  melted  at  the  sight  of  the  piteous 
cavalcade.  They  were  all  supplied  by  her  with 
food  and  raiment,  and  money  to  pay  their  ex- 
penses to  their  homes.  Their  chains  were  hung 
as  pious  trophies  against  the  exterior  of  the 
church  of  St.  Juan  de  los  Reyes,  in  Toledo, 
where  the  Christian  traveller  may  regale  his  eyes 
with  the  sight  of  them  at  this  very  day.^ 

Among  the  Moorish  captives  was  a young  in- 
fidel maiden,  of  great  beauty,  who  desired  to  be- 
come a Christian  and  to  remain  in  Spain.  She 
had  been  inspired  with  the  light  of  the  true  faith, 
through  the  ministry  of  a young  man  who  had 
been  a captive  in  Rond  a.  He  was  anxious  to 
complete  his  good  work  by  marrying  her.  The 
1 Seen  by  the  author  in  1826. 


TROPHIES  AND  CAPTIVES, 


217 


queen  consented  to  their  pious  wishes,  having 
first  taken  care  that  the  young  maiden  should  be 
properly  purified  by  the  holy  sacrament  of 
baptism. 

“ Thus  this  pestilent  nest  of  warfare  and  in- 
fidelity, the  city  of  Honda,”  says  the  worthy  F ray 
Antonio  Agapida,  “ was  converted  to  the  true 
faith  by  the  thunder  of  our  artillery  — an  exam- 
ple which  was  soon  followed  by  Casarabonela, 
Marbella,  and  other  towns  in  these  parts,  inso- 
much that  in  the  course  of  this  expedition  no  less 
than  seventy-two  places  were  rescued  from  the 
vile  sect  of  Mahomet,  and  placed  under  the  be- 
nignant domination  of  the  cross.” 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

How  the  People  of  Granada  invited  El  Zagal  to  the  Throne 
and  how  he  marched  to  the  Capital. 

HE  people  of  Granada  were  a versatile, 
unsteady  race,  and  exceedingly  given  to 
make  and  unmake  kings.  They  had, 
for  a long  time,  vacillated  between  old  Muley 
Abul  Hassan  and  his  son,  Boabdil  el  Chico  ; some- 
times setting  up  the  one,  sometimes  the  other,  and 
sometimes  both  at  once,  according  to  the  pinch  and 
pressure  of  external  evils.  They  found,  however, 
that  the  evils  still  went  on  increasing,  in  defiance 
of  every  change,  and  were  at  their  wits’  end  to 
devise  some  new  combination  or  arrangement,  by 
which  an  efficient  government  might  be  wrought 
out  of  two  bad  kings.  When  the  tidings  arrived 
of  the  fall  of  Ronda,  and  the  consequent  ruin  of 
the  frontier,  a tumultuous  assemblage  took  place* 
in  one  of  the  public  squares.  As  usual,  the  peo- 
ple attributed  the  misfortunes  of  the  country  to 
the  faults  of  their  rulers  ; for  the  populace  never 
imagine  that  any  part  of  their  miseries  can 
originate  with  themselves.  A crafty  alfaqui, 
named  Alyme  Mazer,  who  had  watched  the  cur- 
rent of  their  discontents,  rose  and  harangued 
them : “ You  have  been  choosing  and  changing,” 
said  he,  “ between  two  monarchs  — and  who  and 


EL  ZAGAL  ACCEPTS  THE  CROWN.  219 


what  are  they  ? Muley  Abul  Hassan,  for  one  ; 
a man  worn  out  by  age  and  infirmities,  unable  to 
sally  forth  against  the  foe,  even  when  ravaging  to 
the  very  gates  of  the  city : and  Boabdil  el 
Chico,  for  the  other ; an  apostate,  a traitor,  a 
deserter  from  his  throne,  a fugitive  among  the 
enemies  of  his  nation,  a man  fated  to  misfortune, 
and  proverbially  named  ‘ the  unlucky.’  In  a time 
of  overwhelming  war,  like  the  present,  he  only  is 
fit  to  sway  a sceptre  • who  can  wield  a sword. 
Would  you  seek  such  a man  ? You  need  not 
look  far.  Allah  has  sent  such  a one,  in  this 
time  of  distress,  to  retrieve  the  fortunes  of  Gra- 
nada. You  already  know  whom  I mean.  You 
know  that  it  can  be  Jio  other  than  your  general, 
the  invincible  Abdallah,  whose  surname  of  El 
Zagal  has  become  a watchword  in  battle,  rousing 
the  courage  of  the  faithful,  and  striking  terror 
into  the  unbelievers.” 

The  multitude  received  the  words  of  the  alfaqui 
with  acclamations ; they  were  delighted  with  the 
idea  of  a third  king  over  Granada  ; and  Abdallah 
el  Zagal  being  of  the  royal  family,  and  already 
in  the  virtual  exercise  of  royal  power,  the  measure 
had  nothing  in  it  that  appeared  either  rash  or 
violent.  A deputation  was  therefore  sent  to  El 
Zagal  at  Malaga,  inviting  him  to  repair  to  Gra- 
nada to  receive  the  crown. 

El  Zagal  expressed  great  surprise  and  repug- 
nance, when  the  mission  was  announced  to  him  ; 
and  nothing  but  liis  patriotic  zeal  for  the  public 
safety,  and  his  fraternal  eagerness  to  relieve  the 
aged  Abul  Hassan  from  the  cares  of  government, 


220 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA, 


prevailed  upon  him  to  accept  the  offer.  Leaving; 
therefore,  Reduax  Vaiiegas,  one  of  the  bravest 
Moorish  generals,  in  command  of  Malaga,  he  de- 
parted for  Granada,  attended  by  three  hundred 
trusty  cavaliers. 

Muley  Abul  Hassan  did  not  wait  for  the 
arrival  of  his  brother.  Unable  any  longer  to 
buffet  with  the  storms  of  the  times,  his  only 
solicitude  was  to  seek  some  safe  and  quiet  harbor 
of  repose.  In  one  of  the  deep  valleys  which 
indent  the  Mediterranean  coast,  and  which  are 
shut  up  on  the  land  side  by  stupendous  moun- 
tains, stood  the  little  city  of  Almunecar.  The  ‘ 
valley  was  watered  by  the  limpid  river  Frio,  and 
abounded  with  fruits,  with  grain  and  pasturage. 
The  city  was  strongly  fortified,  and  the  garrison 
and  alcayde  were  devoted  to  the  old  monarch. 
This  was  the  place  chosen  by  Muley  Abul  Has- 
san for  his  asylum.  His  first  care  was  to  send 
thither  all  his  treasures  ; his  next  care  was  to  take 
refuge  there  himself ; his  third,  that  his  sultana 
Zoraya,  and  their  two  sons,  should  follow  him. 

In  the  mean  time,  Muley  Abdallah  el  Zagal 
pursued  his  journey  towards  the  capital,  attended 
by  his  three  hundred  cavaliers.  The  road  from 
Malaga  to  Granada  winds  close  by  Alliama,  and  * 
is  dominated  by  that  lofty  fortress.  This  had 
been  a most  perilous  pass  for  the  Moors,  during 
the  time  that  Alhama  was  commanded  by  the 
count  de  Tendilla  : not  a traveller  could  escape 
his  eagle  eye,  and  his  garrison  was  ever  ready  for 
a sally.  The  count  de  Tendilla,  however,  had 
been  relieved  from  this  arduous  post,  and  it  had 


EL  ZAGAL  SURPRISES  THE  CAVALIERS,  221 


been  given  in  charge  to  Don  Gutiere  de  Padilla, 
clavero,  or  treasurer  of  the  order  of  Calatrava  ; 
an  easy,  indulgent  man,  who  had  with  him  three 
hundred  gallant  knights  of  his  order,  besides 
other  mercenary  troops.  The  garrison  had  fallen 
off  in  discipline  ; the  cavaliers  were  hardy  in  fight 
and  daring  in  foray,  but  confident  in  themselves 
and  negligent  of  proper  precautions.  Just  before 
the  journey  of  El  Zagal,  a number  of  these  cava- 
liers, with  several  soldiers  of  fortune  of  the  gar- 
rison, in  all  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  men, 
had  sallied  forth  to  harass  the  Moorish  country 
during  its  present  distracted  state,  and,  having 
ravaged  the  valleys  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  or 
Snowy  Mountains,  were  returning  to  Alhama  in 
gay  spirits  and  laden  with  booty. 

As  El  Zagal  passed  through  the  neighborhood 
of  Alhama,  he  recollected  the  ancient  perils  of 
the  road,  and  sent  light  cerradors  in  advance,  to 
inspect  each  rock  and  ravine  where  a foe  might 
lurk  in  ambush.  One  of  these  scouts,  overlooking 
a narrow  valley  which  opened  upon  the  road,  de- 
scried a troop  of  horsemen  on  the  banks  of  a 
little  stream.  They  were  dismounted,  and  had 
taken  the  bridles  from  their  steeds,  that  they  might 
crop  the  fresh  grass  on  the  banks  of  the  river. 
The  horsemen  were  scattered  about,  some  reposing 
in  the  shades  of  rocks  and  trees,  others  gambling 
for  the  spoil  they  had  taken  : not  a sentinel  was 
posted  to  keep  guard  ; everything  showed  the 
perfect  security  of  men  who  consider  themselves 
beyond  the  reach  of  danger. 

These  careless  cavaliers  were  in  fact  the 


222 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA. 


knights  of  Calatrava  returning  from  their  foray* 
A part  of  their  force  had  passed  on  with  the 
cavalgada ; ninety  of  the  principal  cavaliers  had 
halted  to  refresh  themselves  in  this  valley.  El 
Zagal  smiled  with  ferocious  joy,  when  he  heard  of 
their  negligent  security.  “ Here  will  be  trophies,” 
said  he,  “ to  grace  our  entrance  into  Granada.” 

Approaching  the  valley  with  cautious  silence, 
he  wheeled  into  it  at  full  speed  at  the  head  of  his 
troop,  and  attacked  the  Christians  so  suddenly, 
that  they  had  not  time  to  put  the  bridles  upon 
their  horses,  or  even  to  leap  into  the  saddles. 
They  made  a confused  but  valiant  defense,  fight- 
ing among  the  rocks,  and  in  the  rugged  bed  of 
the  river.  Their  defense  was  useless  ; seventy- 
nine  were  slain,  and  the  remaining  eleven  were 
taken  prisoners. 

A party  of  the  Moors  galloped  in  pursuit  of 
the  cavalgada : they  soon  overtook  it,  winding 
slowly  up  a hill.  The  horsemen  who  conveyed 
it,  perceiving  the  enemy  at  a distance,  made  their 
escape,  and  left  the  spoil  to  be  retaken  by  the 
Moors.  El  Zagal  gathered  together  his  captives 
and  his  booty,  and  proceeded,  elate  with  success, 
to  Granada. 

He  paused  before  the  gate  of  Elvira,  for  as  yet 
he  had  not  been  proclaimed  king.  This  ceremony 
was  immediately  performed ; for  the  fame  of  his 
recent  exploit  had  preceded  him,  and  intoxicated 
the  minds  of  the  giddy  populace.  He  entered 
Granada  in  a sort  of  triumph.  The  eleven  cap- 
tive knights  of  Calatrava  walked  in  front : next 
were  paraded  the  ninety  captured  steeds,  bearing 


TRIVMPHANT  ENTRY  INTO  GRANADA.  223 


the  armor  and  weapons  of  their  late  owners,  and 
led  by  as  many  mounted  Moors : then  came 
seventy  Moorish  horsemen,  with  as  many  Chris- 
tian heads  hanging  at  their  saddle-bows : Muley 
Abdallah  followed,  surrounded  by  a number  of 
distinguished  cavaliers  splendidly  attired  ; and  the 
pageant  was  closed  by  a long  cavalgada  of  the 
flocks  and  herds,  and  other  booty  recovered  from 
the  Christians.  ^ 

The  populace  gazed  with  almost  savage  triumph 
at  these  captive  cavaliers  and  the  gory  heads  of 
their  companions,  knowing  them  to  have  been 
part  of  the  formidable  garrison  of  Alhama,  so 
long  the  scourge  of  Granada  and  the  terror  of  the 
vega.  They  hailed  this  petty  triumph  as  an 
auspicious  opening  of  the  reign  of  their  new  mon- 
arch ; for  several  days,  the  names  of  Muley  Abul 
Hassan  and  Boabdil  el  Chico  were  never  men- 
tioned but  with  contempt,  and  the  whole  city 
resounded  with  the  praises  of  El  Zagal,  or  the 
Valiant. 

1 Zurita,  lib.  20,  c.  62.  Mariana,  Hist,  de  Espana.  Abarca, 
Anales  de  Aragon. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


Itaw  the  Count  de  Cabra  attempted  to  capture  another  King, 
and  how  he  fared  in  his  Attempt. 

HE  elevation  of  a bold  and  active  veteran 
to  the  throne  of  Granada,  in  place  of 
its  late  bedridden  king,  made  an  impor- 
tant difference  in  the  aspect  of  the  war,  and  called 
for  some  blow  that  should  dash  the  confidence 
of  the  Moors  in  their  new  monarch,  and  animate 
the  Christians  to  fresh  exertions. 

Don  Diego  de  Cordova,  the  brave  count  de 
Cabra,  was  at  this  time  in  his  castle  of  Vaena, 
where  he  kept  a wary  eye  upon  the  frontier.  It 
was  now  the  latter  part  of  August,  and  he 
grieved  that  the  summer  should  pass  away  with- 
out an  inroad  into  the  country  of  the  foe.  He 
sent  out  his  scouts  on  the  prowl,  and  they  brought 
him  word  that  the  important  post  of  Moclin  was 
but  weakly  garrisoned.  This  was  a castellated 
town,  strongly  situated  upon  a high  mountain, 
partly  surrounded  by  thick  forests,  and  partly 
girdled  by  a river.  It  defended  one  of  the  rug- 
ged and  solitary  passes,  by  which  the  Christians 
were  wont  to  make  their  inroads  ; insomuch  that 
the  Moors,  in  their  figurative  way,  denominated 
it  the  shield  of  Granada. 


COUNT  DE  CABRALS  PROJECT,  225 

The  count  de  Cabra  sent  word  to  the  monarchs 
of  the  feeble  state  of  the  garrison,  and  gave  it  as 
his  opinion,  that,  by  a secret  and  rapid  expedition, 
the  place  might  be  surprised.  King  Ferdinand 
asked  the  advice  of  his  counselors.  Some  cau- 
tioned him  against  the  sanguine  temperament  of 
the  count,  and  his  heedlessness  of  danger  ; Moc- 
lin,  they  observed,  was  near  to  Granada,  and 
might  be  promptly  reinforced.  The  opinion  of 
the  count,  however,  prevailed  ; the  king  consider- 
ing him  almost  infallible,  in  matters  of  border 
warfare,  since  his  capture  of  Boabdil  el  Chico. 

The  king  departed,  therefore,  from  Cordova, 
and  took  post  at  Alcala  la  Real,  for  the  purpose 
of  being  near  to  Moclin.  The  queen  also  pro- 
ceeded to  Vaena,  accompanied  by  her  children, 
prince  Juan  and  the  princess  Isabella,  and  her 
great  counselor  in  all  matters,  public  and  private, 
spiritual  and  temporal,  the  venerable  grand  car- 
dinal of  Spain. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  pride  and  satisfaction 
of  the  loyal  count  de  Cabra,  when  he  saw  this 
stately  train  winding  along  the  dreary  mountain 
roads,  and  entering  the  gates  of  Vaena.  He  re- 
ceived his  royal  guests  with  all  due  ceremony, 
and  lodged  them  in  the  best  apartments  that  the 
warrior  castle  afforded. 

King  Ferdinand  had  concerted  a wary  plan  to 
insure  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  The  count 
de  Cabra  and  Don  Martin  Alonzo  de  Montemayor 
were  to  set  forth  with  their  troops,  so  as  to  reach 
Moclin  by  a certain  hour,  and  to  intercept  all 
who  should  attempt  to  enter,  or  should  sally  from 
15 


226 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  town.  The  master  of  Calatrava,  the  troops 
of  the  grand  cardinal,  commanded  by  the  count 
of  Buendia,  and  the  forces  of  the  bishop  of  Jaen, 
led  by  that  belligerent  prelate,  amounting  in  all 
to  four  thousand  horse  and  six  thousand  foot, 
were  to  set  off  in  time  to  cooperate  with  the 
count  de  Cabra,  so  as  to  surround  the  town.  The 
king  was  to  follow  with  his  whole  force,  and  en- 
camp before  the  place. 

And  here  the  worthy  padre  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida  breaks  forth  into  a triumphant  eulogy  of 
the  pious  prelates,  who  thus  mingled  personally 
in  these  scenes  of  warfare.  As  this  was  a holy 
crusade  (says  he),  undertaken  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  faith  and  the  glory  of  the  church,  so 
was  it  always  countenanced  and  upheld  by  saintly 
men ; for  the  victories  of  their  most  Catholic  ma- 
jesties were  not  followed,  like  those  of  mere 
worldly  sovereigns,  by  erecting  castles  and  tow- 
ers, and  appointing  alcaydes  and  garrisons  ; but 
by  the  founding  of  convents  and  cathedrals,  and 
the  establishment  of  wealthy  bishoprics.  Where- 
fore their  majesties  were  always  surrounded,  in 
court  or  camp,  in  the  cabinet  or  in  the  field,  by  a 
crowd  of  ghostly  advisers,  inspiriting  them  to  the 
prosecution  of  this  most  righteous  war.  Nay,  the 
holy  men  of  the  church  did  not  scruple,  at  times, 
to  buckle  on  the  cuirass  over  the  cassock,  to  ex- 
change the  crosier  for  the  lance,  and  thus,  with 
corporal  hands  and  temporal  weapons,  to  fight  the 
good  fight  of  the  faith. 

But  to  return  from  this  rhapsody  of  the  wor- 
thy friar.  The  count  de  Cabra,  being  instructed 


ATTEMPT  TO  CAPTURE  EL  ZAGAL.  227 


in  the  complicated  arrangements  of  the  king, 
marched  forth  at  midnight,  to  execute  them  punc- 
tually. He  led  his  troops  by  the  little  river  that 
winds  below  Vaena,  and  so  up  to  the  wild  defiles 
of  the  mountains,  marching  all  night,  and  stop- 
ping only  in  the  heat  of  the  following  day,  to  re- 
pose under  the  shadowy  cliffs  of  a deep  barranca, 
calculating  to  arrive  at  Moclin  exactly  in  time  to 
cooperate  with  the  other  forces. 

The  troops  had  scarcely  stretched  themselves 
on  the  earth  to  take  repose,  when  a scout  ar- 
rived, bringing  word  that  El  Zagal  had  suddenly 
sallied  out  of  Granada  with  a strong  force,  and 
had  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Moclin.  It  was 
plain  that  the  wary  Moor  had  received  informa- 
tion of  the  intended  attack.  This,  however,  was 
not  the  idea  that  presented  itself  to  the  mind  of 
the  count  de  Cabra.  He  had  captured  one  king 
— here  was  a fair  opportunity  to  secure  another. 
What  a prisoner  to  deliver  into  the  hands  of  his 
royal  mistress ! Fired  with  the  thoughts,  the 
good  count  forgot  all  the  arrangements  of  the 
king ; or  rather,  blinded  by  former  success,  he 
trusted  everything  to  courage  and  fortune,  and 
thought  that,  by  one  bold  sweep,  he  might  again 
bear  off  the  royal  prize,  and  wear  his  laurels 
without  competition.^  His  only  fear  was  that 
the  master  of  Calatrava,  and  the  belligerent 
bishop  might  come  up  in  time  to  share  the  glory 
of  the  victory  ; so  ordering  every  one  to  horse, 
this  hot-spirited  cavalier  pushed  on  for  Moclin 
without  allowing  his  troops  the  necessary  time  for 
repose. 

A Mariana,  lib.  25,  c.  17.  Abarca,  Zurita,  etc. 


228 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


The  evening  closed,  as  the  count  arrived  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Moclin.  It  was  the  full  of  the 
moon,  and  a bright  and  cloudless  night.  The 
count  was  marching  through  one  of  those  deep 
valleys  or  ravines,  worn  in  the  Spanish  moun- 
tains by  the  brief  but  tremendous  torrents  which 
prevail  during  the  autumnal  rains.  It  was  walled 
on  each  side  by  lofty  and  almost  perpendicular 
cliffs,  but  great  masses  of  moonlight  were  thrown 
into  the  bottom  of  the  glen,  glittering  on  the  ar- 
mor of  the  shining  squadrons,  as  they  silently 
passed  through  it.  Suddenly  the  war-cry  of  the 
Moors  rose  in  various  parts  of  the  valley  ; “ El 
Zagal  ! El  Zagal ! ” was  shouted  from  every  cliff, 
accompanied  by  showers  of  missiles,  that  struck 
down  several  of  the  Christian  warriors.  The 
count  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  beheld,  by  the  light 
of  the  moon,  every  cliff  glistening  with  Moorish 
soldiery.  The  deadly  shower  fell  thickly  round 
him,  and  the  shining  armor  of  his  followers  made 
them  fair  objects  for  the  aim  of  the  enemy.  The 
count  saw  his  brother  Gonzalo  struck  dead  by 
his  side  ; his  own  horse  sank  under  him,  pierced 
by  four  Moorish  lances  ; and  he  received  a wound 
in  the  hand  from  an  arquebuse.  He  remembered 
the  horrible  massacre  of  the  mountains  of  Malaga, 
and  feared  a similar  catastrophe.  There  was  no 
time  to  pause.  His  brother’s  horse,  freed  from 
his  slaughtered  rider,  was  running  at  large  ; seiz- 
ing the  reins,  he  sprang  into  the  saddle,  called 
upon  his  men  to  follow  him,  and  wheeling  round, 
retreated  out  of  the  fatal  valley. 

The  Moors,  rushing  down  from  the  heights, 


TRIUMPH  OF  EL  ZAGAE 


229 


pursued  the  retreating  Christians.  The  chase 
endured  for  a league,  but  it  was  a league  of 
rough  and  broken  road,  where  the  Christians  had 
to  turn  and  fight  at  almost  every  step.  In  these 
short  but  fierce  combats,  the  enemy  lost  many 
cavaliers  of  note;  but  the  loss  of  the  Christians 
was  infinitely  more  grievous,  comprising  numbers 
of  the  noblest  warriors  of  Vaena  and  its  vicinity. 
Many  of  the  Christians,  disabled  by  wounds  or 
exhausted  by  fatigue,  turned  aside  and  endeav- 
ored to  conceal  themselves  among  rocks  and 
thickets,  but  never  more  rejoined  their  compan- 
ions, being  slain  or  captured  by  the  Moors,  or 
perishing  in  their  wretched  retreats. 

The  arrival  of  the  troops,  led  by  the  master 
of  Calatrava  and  the  bishop  of  Jaen,  put  an  end 
to  the  rout.  El  Zagal  contented  himself  with 
the  laurels  he  had  gained,  and,  ordering  the 
trumpets  to  call  off  his  men  from  the  pursuit,  re- 
turned in  great  triumph  to  Moclin.^ 

Queen  Isabella  was  at  Vaena,  awaiting  with 
great  anxiety  the  result  of  the’ expedition.  She 
was  in  a stately  apartment  of  the  castle,  looking 
towards  the  road  that  winds  through  the  moun- 
tains from  Moclin,  and  regarding  the  watch-towers 
on  the  neighboring  heights,  in  hopes  of  favorable 
signals.  The  prince  and  princess,  her  children, 
were  with  her,  and  her  venerable  counselor,  the 
grand  cardinal.  All  shared  in  the  anxiety  of 
the  moment.  At  length  couriers  were  seen  riding 
toward  the  town.  They  entered  its  gates,  but, 
before  they  reached  the  castle,  the  nature  of  their 
1 Zurita,  lib.  20,  c.  4.  Pulgar,  Cronica* 


230 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


tidings  was  known  to  the  queen,  by  the  shrieks 
and  wailings  from  the  streets  below.  The  mes- 
sengers were  soon  followed  by  wounded  fugitives, 
hastening  home  to  be  relieved,  or  to  die  among 
their  friends  and  families.  The  whole  town  re- 
sounded with  lamentations ; for  it  had  lost  the 
flower  of  its  youth,  and  its  bravest  warriors. 
Isabella  was  a woman  of  courageous  soul,  but  her 
feelings  were  overpowered  by  spectacles  of  woe 
on  every  side ; her  maternal  heart  mourned  over 
the  death  of  so  many  loyal  subjects,  who  shortly 
before  had  rallied  round  her  with  devoted  affec- 
tion ; and,  losing  her  usual  self-command,  she 
sank  into  deep  despondency. 

In  this  gloomy  state  of  mind,  a thousand  ap- 
prehensions crowded  upon  her.  She  dreaded  the 
confidence  which  this  success  would  impart  to  the 
Moors  ; she  feared  also  for  the  important  fortress 
of  Alhama,  the  garrison  of  which  had  not  been 
reinforced,  since  its  foraging  party  had  been  cut 
off  by  this  same  El  Zagal.  On  every  side  she 
saw  danger  and  disaster,  and  feared  that  a gene- 
ral reverse  was  about  to  attend  the  Castilian 
arms. 

The  grand  cardinal  comforted  her  with  both 
spiritual  and  worldly  counsel.  He  told  her  to 
recollect  that  no  country  was  ever  conquered 
without  occasional  reverses  to  the  conquerors ; 
that  the  Moors  were  a warlike  people,  fortified  in 
a rough  and  mountainous  country  where  they 
never  could  be  conquered  by  her  ancestors,— 
and  that  in  fact  her  armies  had  already,  in  three 
years,  taken  more  cities  than  those  of  any  of  her 


MAGNANIMITY  OF  ISABELLA, 


231 


predecessors  had  been  able  to  do  in  twelve.  He 
concluded  by  offering  to  take  the  field  himself, 
with  three  thousand  cavalry,  his  own  retainers, 
paid  and  maintained  by  himself,  and  either  hasten 
to  the  relief  of  Alhama,  or  undertake  any  other  ex- 
pedition her  majesty  might  command.  The  dis- 
creet words  of  the  cardinal  soothed  the  spirit  of 
the  queen,  who  always  looked  to  him  for  conso- 
lation ; and  she  soon  recovered  her  usual  equa- 
nimity. 

Some  of  the  counselors  of  Isabella,  of  that 
politic  class  who  seek  to  rise  by  the  faults  of 
others,  were  loud  in  their  censures  of  the  rashness 
of  the  count.  The  queen  defended  him  with 
prompt  generosity.  “ The  enterprise,”  said  she, 
“ was  rash,  but  not  more  rash  than  that  of  Lu- 
cena,  which  was  crowned  with  success,  and  which 
we  have  applauded  as  the  height  of  heroism. 
Had  the  count  de  Cabra  succeeded  in  capturing 
the  uncle,  as  he  did  the  nephew,  who  is  there 
that  would  not  have  praised  him  to  the  skies  ? ” 

The  magnanimous  words  of  the  queen  put  a 
stop  to  all  invidious  remarks  in  her  presence  ; but 
certain  of  the  courtiers,  who  had  envied  the  count 
the  glory  gained  by  his  former  achievements,  con- 
tinued to  magnify,  among  themselves,  his  present 
imprudence ; and  we  are  told  by  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida,  that  they  sneeringly  gave  the  worthy 
cavalier  the  appellation  of  count  de  Cabra,  the 
king-catcher. 

Ferdinand  had  reached  the  place  on  the  fron- 
tier called  the  Fountain  of  the  King,  within  three 
leagues  of  Moclin,  when  he  heard  of  the  late 


232 


CONQUEST  OT  ORAN  AD  A. 


disaster.  He  greatly  lamented  the  precipitation 
of  the  count,  but  forbore  to  express  himself  with 
severity,  for  he  knew  the  value  of  that  loyal  and 
valiant  cavalier.^  He  held  a council  of  war,  to 
determine  what  course  was  to  be  pursued.  Some 
of  his  cavaliers  advised  him  to  abandon  the  at- 
tempt upon  Moclin,  the  place  being  strongly  rein- 
forced, and  the  enemy  inspirited  by  his  recent 
victory.  Certain  old  Spanish  hidalgos  reminded 
him  that  he  had  but  few  Castilian  troops  in  his 
army,  without  which  stanch  soldiery  his  prede- 
cessors never  presumed  to  enter  the  Moorish  ter- 
ritory ; while  others  remonstrated  that  it  would 
be  beneath  the  dignity  of  the  king  to  retire  from 
an  enterprise  on  account  of  the  defeat  of  a single 
cavalier  and  his  retainers.  In  this  way  the  king 
was  distracted  by  a multitude  of  counselors,  when 
fortunately  a letter  from  the  queen  put  an  end  to 
his  perplexities.  Proceed  we,  in  the  next  chap- 
ter, to  relate  what  was  the  purport  of  that  letter. 

1 Abarca,  Anales  de  Aragon. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Expedition  against  the  Castles  of  Cambil  and  Albahar. 

APPY  are  those  princes,”  exclaims  the, 
worthy  padre,  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ who  have  women  and  priests  to  ad- 
vise them,  for  in  these  dwelleth  the  spirit  of 
counsel.”  While  Ferdinand  and  his  captains 
were  confounding  each  other  in  their  deliberations 
at  the  Fountain  of  the  King,  a quiet  but  deep 
little  council  of  war  was  held  in  the  state  apart- 
ment of  the  old  castle  of  Vaena,  between  Queen 
Isabella,  the  venerable  Pedro  Gonzalez  de  Men- 
doza, grand  cardinal  of  Spain,  and  Don  Garcia 
Osorio,  the  belligerent  bishop  of  Jaen.  This  last 
worthy  prelate,  who  had  exchanged  his  mitre  for 
a helm,  no  sooner  beheld  the  defeat  of  the  enter- 
prise against  Moclin,  than  he  turned  the  reins  of 
bis  sleek,  stall-fed  steed,  and  hastened  back  to 
Yaena,  full  of  a project  for  the  employment  of 
the  army,  the  advancement  of  the  faith,  and  the 
benefit  of  his  own  diocese.  He  knew  that  the 
actions  of  the  king  were  influenced  by  the  opin- 
ions of  the  queen,  and  that  the  queen  always  in- 
clined a listening  ear  to  the  counsels  of  saintly 
men:  he  laid  his  plans,  therefore,  with  the  cus- 
tomary wisdom  of  his  cloth,  to  turn  the  ideas  of 


234 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  queen  into  the  proper  channel ; and  this  was 
the  purport  of  the  worthy  bishop’s  suggestions. 

The  bishopric  of  Jaen  had  for  a long  time 
been  harassed  by  two  Moorish  castles,  the  scourge 
and  terror  of  all  that  part  of  the  country.  They 
were  situated  on  the  frontiers  of  the  kingdom  of 
Granada,  about  four  leagues  from  Jaen,  in  a deep, 
narrow,  and  rugged  valley,  surrounded  by  lofty 
mountains.  Through  this  valley  runs  the  Rio 
Frio  (or  Cold  River),  in  a deep  channel,  worn 
between  high,  precipitous  banks.  On  each  side 
of  the  stream  rise  two  vast  rocks,  nearly  perpen- 
dicular, within  a stone’s  throw  of  each  other, 
blocking  up  the  gorge  of  the  valley.  On  the 
summits  of  these  rocks  stood  the  two  formidable 
castles,  Cambil  and  Albahar,  fortified  with  bat- 
tlements and  towers  of  great  height  and  thick- 
ness. They  were  connected  together  by  a bridge, 
thrown  from  rock  to  rock  across  the  river.  The 
road,  which  passed  through  the  valley,  traversed 
this  bridge,  and  was  completely  commanded  by 
these  castles.  They  stood  like  two  giants  of 
romance,  guarding  the  pass,  and  dominating  the 
valley. 

The  kings  of  Granada,  knowing  the  impor- 
tance of  these  castles,  kept  them  always  well  gar- 
risoned, and  victualled  to  stand  a siege,  with  fleet 
steeds  and  hard  riders,  to  forage  the  country  of 
the  Christians.  The  warlike  race  of  the  Aben- 
cerrages,  the  troops  of  the  royal  household,  and 
others  of  the  choicest  chivalry  of  Granada,  made 
them  their  strongholds  or  posts  of  arms,  whence 
to  sally  forth  on  those  predatory  and  roving  en- 


THE  BISHOP  OF  JAEN^S  COUNSEL^  235 

terprises  in  which  they  delighted.  As  the  wealthy 
bishopric  of  Jaen  lay  immediately  at  hand,  it 
suffered  more  peculiarly  from  these  marauders. 
They  drove  off  the  fat  beeves  and  the  flocks  of 
sheep  from  the  pastures,  and  swept  the  laborers 
from  the  fleld  ; they  scoured  the  country  to  the 
very  gates  of  Jaen,  so  that  the  citizens  could  not 
venture  from  their  walls  without  the  risk  of  being 
borne  off  captive  to  the  dungeons  of  these  castles. 

The  worthy  bishop,  like  a good  pastor,  beheld 
with  grief  of  heart  his  fat  bishopric  daily  waxing 
leaner  and  leaner  and  poorer  and  poorer ; and  his 
holy  ire  was  kindled  at  the  thoughts  that  the  pos- 
sessions of  the  church  should  thus  be  at  the  mercy 
of  a crew  of  infldels.  It  was  the  urgent  counsel 
of  the  bishop,  therefore,  that  the  military  force, 
thus  providentially  assembled  in  the  neighborhood, 
since  it  was  apparently  foiled  in  its  attempt  upon 
Moclin,  should  be  turned  against  these  insolent 
castles,  and  the  country  delivered  from  their 
domination.  The  grand  cardinal  supported  the 
suggestion  of  the  bishop,  and  declared  that  he 
had  long  meditated  the  policy  of  a measure  of 
the  kind.  Their  united  opinions  found  favor 
with  the  queen,  and  she  dispatched  a letter  on 
the  subject  to  the  king.  It  came  just  in  time  to 
relieve  him  from  the  distraction  of  a multitude 
of  counselors,  and  he  immediately  undertook  the 
reduction  of  those  castles. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  was  accordingly  sent 
in  advance,  with  two  thousand  horse,  to  keep  a 
watch  upon  the  garrisons,  and  prevent  all  en- 
trance or  exit  until  the  king  should  arrive  with 


236  • 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  main  army  and  the  battering  artillery.  The 
queen,  to  be  near  at  hand  in  case  of  need,  moved 
her  quarters  to  the  city  of  Jaen,  where  she  was 
received  with  martial  honors  by  the  belligerent 
bishop,  who  had  buckled  on  his  cuirass  and  girded 
on  his  sword,  to  fight  in  the  cause  of  his  diocese. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  marques  of  Cadiz  ar- 
rived in  the  valley,  and  completely  shut  up  the 
Moors  within  their  walls.  The  castles  were 
under  the  command  of  Mahomet  Lentin  Ben 
Usef,  an  Abencerrage,  and  one  of  the  bravest 
cavaliers  of  Granada.  In  his  garrisons  were 
many  troops  of  the  fierce  African  tribe  of  the 
Gomeres.  Mahomet  Lentin,  confident  in  the 
strength  of  his  fortresses,  smiled  as  he  looked 
down  from  his  battlements  upon  the  Christian 
cavalry,  perplexed  in  the  rough  and  narrow  val- 
ley. He  sent  forth  skirmishing  parties  to  harass 
them,  and  there  were  many  sharp  combats  be- 
tween small  parties  and  single  knights ; but  the 
Moors  were  driven  back  to  their  castles,  and  all 
attempts  to  send  intelligence  of  their  situation  to 
Granada  were  frustrated  by  the  vigilance  of  the 
marques  of  Cadiz. 

At  length  the  legions  of  the  royal  army  came 
pouring,  with  vaunting  trumpet  and  fluttering 
banner,  along  the  defiles  of  the  mountains.  They 
halted  before  the  castles,  but  the  king  could  not 
find  room  in  the  narrow  and  rugged  valley  to 
form  his  camp ; he  had  to  divide  it  into  three 
parts,  which  were  posted  on  different  heights  ; and 
his  tents  whitened  the  sides  of  the  neighboring 
bills.  When  the  encampment  was  formed,  the 


ATTEMPT  UPON  THE  CASTLES.  237 


army  remained  gazing  idly  at  the  castles.  The 
artillery  was  upwards  of  four  leagues  in  the  rear, 
and  without  artillery  all  attack  would  be  in  vain. 

The  alcayde  Mahomet  Lentiii  knew  the  nature 
of  the  road  by  which  the  artillery  had  to  be 
brought.  It  was  merely  a narrow  and  rugged 
path,  at  times  scaling  almost  perpendicular  crags 
and  precipices,  up  which  it  was  utterly  impossible 
for  wheel  carriages  to  pass  ; neither  was  it  in  the 
power  of  man  or  beast  to  draw  up  the  lombards, 
and  other  ponderous  ordnance.  He  felt  assured, 
therefore,  that  they  never  could  be  brought  to  the 
camp  ; and,  without  their  aid,  what  could  the 
Christians  effect  against  his  rock-built  castles  ? 
He  scoffed  at  them,  therefore,  as  he  saw  their 
tents  by  day  and  their  fires  by  night  covering  the 
surrounding  heights.  “ Let  them  linger  here  a 
little  while  longer,”  said  he,  ‘‘  and  the  autumnal 
torrents  will  wash  them  from  the  mountains.” 

While  the  alcayde  was  thus  closely  mewed  up 
within  his  walls,  and  the  Christians  remained 
inactive  in  their  camp,  he  noticed,  one  calm 
autumnal  day,  the  sound  of  implements  of  labor 
echoing  among  the  mountains,  and  now  and  then 
the  crash  of  a falling  tree,  or  a thundering  report, 
as  if  some  rock  had  been  heaved  from  its  bed  and 
hurled  into  the  valley.  The  alcayde  was  on  the 
battlements  of  his  castle,  surrounded  by  his 
knights.  “ Methinks,”  said  he,  “ these  Christians 
are  making  war  upon  the  rocks  and  trees  of 
the  mountains,  since  they  find  our  castles  un- 
assailable.” 

The  sounds  did  not  cease  even  during  the 


238 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


night : every  now  and  then,  the  Moorish  sentinel, 
as  he  paced  the  battlements,  heard  some  crash 
echoing  among  the  heights.  The  return  of  day 
explained  the  mystery.  Scarcely  did  the  sun 
shine  against  the  summits  of  the  mountains,  than 
shouts  burst  from  the  cliffs  opposite  to  the  castles, 
and  were  answered  from  the  camp,  with  joyful 
sound  of  kettle-drums  and  trumpets. 

The  astonished  Moors  lifted  up  their  eyes,  and 
beheld,  as  it  were,  a torrent  of  war  breaking  out 
of  a narrow  defile.  There  was  a multitude  of 
men,  with  pickaxes,  spades,  and  bars  of  iron, 
clearing  away  every  obstacle ; while  behind  them 
slowly  moved  along  great  teams  of  oxen,  dragging 
heavy  ordnance,  and  all  the  munitions  of  battering 
artillery. 

“ What  cannot  women  and  priests  effect,  when 
they  unite  in  council  ? ” exclaims  again  the 
worthy  Antonio  Agapida.  The  queen  had  held 
another  consultation  with  the  grand  cardinal  and 
the  belligerent  bishop  of  Jaen.  It  was  clear  that 
the  heavy  ordnance  could  never  be  conveyed  to 
the  camp  by  the  regular  road  of  the  country ; and 
without  battering  artillery,  nothing  could  be  ef- 
fected. It  was  suggested,  however,  by  the  zealous 
bishop,  that  another  road  might  be  opened  through 
a more  practicable  part  of  the  mountains.  It 
would  be  an  undertaking  extravagant  and  chi- 
merical, with  ordinary  means ; and,  therefore, 
unlooked  for  by  the  enemy  : but  what  could  not 
kings  effect,  who  had  treasures  and  armies  at 
command  ? 

The  project  struck  the  enterprising  spirit  of  the 


TRIUMPH  OVER  OBSTACLES. 


239 


queen.  Six  thousand  men,  with  pickaxes,  crow- 
bars, and  every  other  necessary  implement,  were 
set  to  work  day  and  night,  to  break  a road 
through  the  very  centre  of  the  mountains.  No 
time  was  to  be  lost,  for  it  was  rumored  that  El 
Zagal  was  about  to  march  with  a mighty  bost  to 
the  relief  of  the  castles.  The  bustling  bishop  of 
Jaen  acted  as  pioneer,  to  mark  the  route  and 
superintend  tlie  laborers  ; and  the  grand  cardinal 
took  care  that  the  work  should  never  languish 
through  lack  of  means.^ 

“ When  kings’  treasures,”  says  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida,  ^^are  dispensed  by  priestly  hands,  there 
is  no  stint,  as  the  glorious  annals  of  Spain  bear 
witness.  Under  the  guidance  of  these  ghostly 
men,  it  seemed  as  if  miracles  were  effected. 
Almost  an  entire  mountain  was  leveled,  valleys 
were  filled  up,  trees  hewn  down,  rocks  broken 
and  overturned;  in  short,  all  the  obstacles  which 
nature  had  heaped  around,  entirely  and  promptly 
vanished.  In  little  more  than  twelve  days,  this 
gigantic  work  was  effected,  and  the  ordnance 
dragged  to  the  camp,  to  the  great  triumph  of  the 
Christians  and  confusion  of  the  Moors.”  ^ 

No  sooner  was  the  heavy  artillery  arrived, 
than  it  was  mounted,  in  all  haste,  upon  the  neigh- 
boring heights : F rancisco  Ramirez  de  Madrid, 
the  first  engineer  in  Spain,  superintended  the 
batteries  and  soon  opened  a destructive  fire  upon 
castles. 

When  the  alcayde,  Mahomet  Lentin,  found  his 

t Zurita,  Anales  de  Aragon^  lib.  20,  c 64.  Piilgar,  part  3, 

cap.  51.  2 Idem. 


240 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


towers  tumbling  about  him,  and  his  bravest  men 
dashed  from  the  walls,  without  the  power  of 
inflicting  a wound  upon  the  foe,  his  haughty 
spirit  was  greatly  exasperated.  “ Of  what  avail,’’ 
said  he,  bitteidy,  is  all  the  prowess  of  knight- 
hood against  these  cowardly  engines  that  murder 
from  afar  ? ” 

For  a whole  day,  a tremendous  fire  kept  thun- 
dering upon  the  castle  of  Albahar.  The  lombards 
discharged  large  stones,  which  demolished  two  of 
the  towers,  and  all  the  battlements  which  guarded 
the  portal.  If  any  Moors  attempted  to  defend 
the  walls  or  repair  the  breaches,  they  were  shot 
down  by  ribadoquines,  and  other  small  pieces  of 
artillery.  The  Christian  soldiery  issued  from  the 
camp,  under  cover  of  this  fire  ; and,  approaching 
the  castles,  discharged  flights  of  arrows  and  stones 
through  the  openings  made  by  the  ordnance. 

At  length,  to  bring  the  siege  to  a conclusion, 
Francisco  Ramirez  elevated  some  of  the  heaviest 
artillery  on  a mount  that  rose  in  form  of  a cone 
or  pyramid,  on  the  side  of  the  river  near  to 
Albahar,  and  commanded  both  castles.  This  was 
an  operation  of  great  skill  and  excessive  labor, 
but  it  was  repaid  by  complete  success  ; for  the 
Moors  did  not  dare  to  wait  until  this  terrible  bat- 
tery should  discliarge  its  fury.  Satisfied  that  all 
further  resistance  was  vain,  the  valiant  alcayde 
made  signal  for  a parley.  The  articles  of  ca- 
pitulation were  soon  arranged.  The  alcayde  and 
his  garrisons  were  permitted  to  return  in  safety 
to  the  city  of  Granada,  and  the  castles  were 
delivered  into  the  possession  of  King  Ferdinand, 


EFFECTS  OF  TEE  CAPTURE, 


241 


on  the  day  of  the  festival  of  St.  Matthew,  in  the 
month  of  September.  They  were  immediately 
repaired,  strongly  garrisoned,  and  delivered  in 
charge  of  the  city  of  Jaen. 

The  effects  of  this  triumph  were  immediately 
apparent.  Quiet  and  security  once  more  settled 
upon  the  bishopric.  The  husbandmen  tilled  their 
fields  in  peace,  the  herds  and  flocks  fattened 
unmolested  in  the  pastures,  and  the  vineyards 
yielded  corpulent  skinsful  of  rosy  wine.  The 
good  bishop  enjoyed,  in  the  gratitude  of  his  peo- 
ple, the  approbation  of  his  conscience,  the  increase 
of  his  revenues,  and  the  abundance  of  his  table,  a 
reward  for  all  his  toils  and  perils.  “ This  glo- 
rious victory,’’  exclaims  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ achieved  by  such  extraordinary  management 
and  infinite  labor,  is  a shining  example  of  what  a 
bishop  can  effect,  for  the  promotion  of  the  faith 
and  the  good  of  his  diocese.” 


16 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Enterprise  of  the  Knights  of  Calatrava  against  Zalea. 

these  events  were  taking  place  on 
orthern  frontier  of  the  kingdom  of 
ada,  the  important  fortress  of  Al- 
hama  was  neglected,  and  its  commander,  Don 
Gutiere  de  Padilla,  clavero  of  Calatrava,  reduced 
to  great  perplexity.  The  remnant  of  the  forag- 
ing party,  which  had  been  surprised  and  massa- 
cred by  El  Zagal  when  on  his  way  to  Granada  to 
receive  the  crown,  had  returned  in  confusion  and 
dismay  to  the  fortress.  They  could  only  speak 
of  their  own  disgrace,  being  obliged  to  abandon 
their  cavalgada  and  fly,  pursued  by  a superior 
force : of  the  flower  of  their  party,  the  gallant 
knights  of  Calatrava,  who  had  remained  behind 
in  the  valley,  they  knew  nothing.  A few  days 
cleared  up  the  mystery  of  their  fate  : tidings  were 
brought  that  their  bloody  heads  had  been  borne 
in  triumph  into  Granada.  The  surviving  knights 
of  Calatrava,  who  formed  a part  of  the  garrison, 
burned  to  revenge  the  death  of  their  comrades, 
and  to  wipe  out  the  stigma  of  this  defeat ; but 
the  clavero  had  been  rendered  cautious  by  disas- 
ter — he  resisted  all  their  entreaties  for  a foray. 
His  garrison  was  weakened  by  the  loss  of  so 


ENTERPRISE  AGAINST  ZALEA.  243 


many  of  its  bravest  men  ; the  vega  was  patrolled 
by  numerous  and  powerful  squadrons,  sent  forth 
by  El  Zagal ; above  all,  the  movements  of  the 
garrison  were  watched  by  the  warriors  of  Zalea, 
a strong  town,  only  two  leagues  distant,  on  the 
road  towards  Loxa.  This  place  was  a continual 
check  upon  Alhama,  when  in  its  most  powerful 
state,  placing  ambuscades  to  entrap  the  Christian 
cavaliers  in  the  course  of  their  sallies.  Frequent 
and  bloody  skirmishes  had  taken  place,  in  conse- 
quence; and  the  troops  of  Alhama,  when  return- 
ing from  their  forays,  had  often  to  fight  their  way 
back  through  the  squadrons  of  Zalea.  Thus  sur- 
rounded by  dangers,  Don  Gutiere  de  Padilla  re- 
strained the  eagerness  of  his  troops  for  a sally, 
knowing  that  any  additional  disaster  might  be  fol- 
lowed by  the  loss  of  Alhama. 

In  the  meanwhile  provisions  began  to  grow 
scarce ; they  were  unable  to  forage  the  country 
as  usual  for  supplies,  and  depended  for  relief 
upon  the  Castilian  sovereigns.  The  defeat  of 
the  count  de  Cabra  filled  the  measure  of  their 
perplexities,  as  it  interrupted  the  intended  rein- 
forcements and  supplies.  To  such  extremity 
were  they  reduced,  that  they  were  compelled  to 
kill  some  of  their  horses  for  provisions. 

The  worthy  clavero,  Don  Gutiere  de  Padilla, 
was  pondering  one  day  on  this  gloomy  state  of 
afiairs,  when  a Moor  was  brought  before  him  who 
had  surrendered  himself  at  the  gate  of  Alhama, 
and  claimed  an  audience.  Don  Gutiere  was  ac- 
customed to  visits  of  the  kind  from  renegado 
Moors,  who  roamed  the  country  as  spies  and 


244 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


adalides  ; but  the  countenance  of  tbis  man  was 
quite  unknown  to  him.  He  had  a box  strapped 
to  his  shoulders,  containing  divers  articles  of  traf- 
fic, and  appeared  to  be  one  of  those  itinerant 
traders,  who  often  resorted  to  Alhama  and  the 
other  garrison  towns,  under  pretext  of  vending 
trivial  merchandise,  such  as  amulets,  perfumes, 
and  trinkets,  but  who  often  produced  rich  shawls, 
golden  chains  and  necklaces,  and  valuable  gems 
and  jewels. 

The  Moor  requested  a private  conference  with 
the  clavero  : “ I have  a precious  jewel,”  said  he, 
to  dispose  of.” 

^‘1  want  no  jewels,”  replied  Don  Gutiere. 

“ For  the  sake  of  Him  who  died  on  the  cross, 
the  great  prophet  of  your  faith,”  said  the  Moor, 
solemnly,  “ refuse  not  my  request ; the  jewel  I 
speak  of  you  alone  can  purchase,  but  I can  only 
treat  about  it  in  secret.” 

Don  Gutiere  perceived  there  was  something 
hidden  under  these  mystic  and  figurative  terms, 
in  which  the  Moors  were  often  accustomed  to 
talk.  He  motioned  his  attendants  to  retire. 
When  they  were  alone,  the  Moor  looked  cau- 
tiously around  the  apartment,  and  then,  approach- 
ing close  to  the  knight,  demanded  in  a low  voice, 
“ What  will  you  give  me,  if  I deliver  the  fortress 
of  Zalea  into  your  hands  ? ” 

Don  Gutiere  looked  with  surprise  at  the  hum- 
ble individual  that  made  such  a suggestion. 

What  means  have  you,”  said  he,  “ of  effect 
ing  such  a proposition  ? ” 

^‘1  have  a brother  in  the  garrison  of  Zalea,* 


REVENGEFUL  PROPOSAL. 


245 


replied  the  Moor,  ^^who,  for  a proper  compensa- 
tion, would  admit  a body  of  troops  into  the  cita- 
del.” 

Don  Gutiere  turned  a scrutinizing  eye  upon 
the  Moor.  ‘‘  What  right  have  I to  believe,”  said 
he,  ‘‘  that  thou  wilt  be  truer  to  me,  than  to . those 
of  thy  blood  and  thy  religion  ? ” 

‘‘  I renounce  all  ties  to  them,  either  of  blood 
or  religion,”  replied  the  Moor  ; “ my  mother  was 
a Christian  captive  ; her  country  shall  henceforth 
be  my  country,  and  her  faith,  my  faith.”  ^ 

The  doubts  of  Don  Gutiere  were  not  dispelled 
by  this  profession  of  mongrel  Christianity. 
‘‘  Granting  the  sincerity  of  thy  conversion,”  said 
he,  “ art  thou  under  no  obligations  of  gratitude 
or  duty  to  the  alcayde  of  the  fortress  thou 
wouldst  betray  ? ” 

The  eyes  of  the  Moor  flashed  fire  at  the  words ; 
he  gnashed  his  teeth  with  fury.  “The  alcayde,” 
cried  he,  “ is  a dog ! He  has  deprived  my 
brother  of  his  just  share  of  booty  ; he  has  robbed 
me  of  my  merchandise,  treated  me  worse  than  a 
Jew  when  I murmured  at  his  injustice,  and  or- 
dered me  to  be  thrust  forth  ignominiously  from 
his  walls.  May  the  curse  of  God  fall  upon  my 
head,  if  I rest  content  until  I have  full  revenge ! ” 
“ Enough,”  said  Don  Gutiere  : “ I trust  more 
to  thy  revenge  than  thy  religion.” 

The  good  clavero  called  a council  of  his  offi- 
cers. The  knights  of  Calatrava  were  unani- 
mous for  the  enterprise  — zealous  to  apj»ease 
the  manes  of  their  slaughtered  comrades.  Don 
i Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


246 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Gutiere  reminded  them  of  the  state  of  the  garri- 
son, enfeebled  by  their  late  loss,  and  scarcely  suf- 
ficient for  the  defense  of  the  walls.  The  cava- 
liers replied,  that  there  was  no  achievement  with- 
out risk,  and  that  there  would  have  been  no  great 
actions  recorded  in  history,  had  there  not  been 
daring  spirits  ready  to  peril  life  to  gain  renown. 

Don  Gutiere  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  his 
knights,  for  to  have  resisted  any  further  might 
have  drawn  on  him  the  imputation  of  timidity ; 
he  ascertained  by  trusty  spies  that  everything  in 
Zalea  remained  in  the  usual  state,  and  he  made 
all  the  requisite  arrangements  for  the  attack. 

When  the  appointed  night  arrived,  all  the  cav- 
aliers were  anxious  to  engage  in  the  enterprise ; 
but  the  individuals  were  decided  by  lot.  They 
set  out,  under  the  guidance  of  the  Moor ; and 
when  they  had  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  Zalea,  they 
bound  his  hands  behind  his  back,  and  their  leader 
pledged  his  knightly  word  to  strike  him  dead,  on 
the  first  sign  of  treachery.  He  then  bade  him  to 
lead  the  way. 

It  was  near  midnight  when  they  reached  the 
walls  of  the  fortress.  They  passed  silently  along 
until  they  found  themselves  below  the  citadel. 
Here  their  guide  made  a low  and  preconcerted  sig- 
nal : it  was  answered  from  above,  and  a cord  let 
down  from  the  wall.  The  knights  attached  to  it 
a ladder,  which  was  drawn  up  and  fastened.  Gu- 
tiere Munoz  was  the  first  that  mounted,  followed 
by  Pedro  de  Alvarado,  both  brave  and  hardy  sol- 
diers. A handful  succeeded ; they  were  attacked 
by  a party  of  guards,  but  held  them  at  bay  until 


ZALEA  TAKEN. 


247 


more  of  their  comrades  ascended;  with  their  as- 
sistance they  gained  possession  of  a tower  and 
part  of  the  wall.  The  garrison,  by  this  time,  wa& 
aroused  ; but  before  they  could  reach  the  scene  of 
action,  most  of  the  cavaliers  were  within  the  bat- 
tlements. A bloody  contest  raged  for  about  an 
hour  — several  of  the  Christians  were  slain,  but 
many  of  the  Moors ; at  length  the  citadel  was 
carried,  and  the  town  submitted  without  resistance. 

Thus  did  the  gallant  knights  of  Calatrava  gain 
the  strong  town  of  Zalea  with  scarcely  any  loss, 
and  atone  for  the  inglorious  defeat  of  their  com- 
panions by  El  Zagal.  They  found  the  magazines 
of  the  place  well  stored  with  provisions,  and  were 
enabled  to  carry  a seasonable  supply  to  their  own 
famishing  garrison. 

The  tidings  of  this  event  reached  the  sove- 
reigns, just  after  the  surrender  of  Cambil  and 
Albahar.  They  were  greatly  rejoiced  at  this  ad- 
ditional success  of  their  arms,  and  immediately 
sent  strong  reinforcements  and  ample  supplies  for 
both  Alhama  and  Zalea.  They  then  dismissed 
the  army  for  the  winter.  Ferdinand  and  Isa- 
bella retired  to  Alcala  de  Henares,  where  the 
queen,  on  the  16  th  of  December,  1485,  gave 
birth  to  the  princess  Catharine,  afterwards  wife  of 
Henry  VIII.,  of  England.  Thus  prospercusly 
terminated  the  checkered  campaign  of  this  im- 
portant year. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Death  of  Muley  Abul  Hassan. 

ULEY  ABDALLAH  EL  ZAGAL  had 
been  received  with  great  acclamations 
at  Granada,  on  his  return  from  (Jefeat- 
ing  the  count  de  Cabra.  He  had  endeavored  to 
turn  his  victory  to  the  greatest  advantage  with 
his  subjects  ; giving  tilts  and  tournaments,  and 
other  public  festivities,  in  which  the  Moors  de- 
lighted. The  loss  of  the  castles  of  Cambil  and 
Albahar,  and  of  the  fortress  of  Zalea,  however, 
checked  this  sudden  tide  of  popularity;  and  some 
of  the  fickle  populace  began  to  doubt  whether 
they  had  not  been  rather  precipitate  in  deposing 
his  brother,  Muley  Abul  Hassan. 

That  superannuated  monarch  remained  in  his 
faithful  town  of  Almunecar,  on  the  border  of  the 
Mediterranean,  surrounded  by  a few  adherents, 
together  with  his  wife  Zoraya  and  his  children  ; 
and  he  had  all  his  treasures  safe  in  his  possession. 
The  fiery  heart  of  the  old  king  was  almost  burnt 
out,  and  all  his  powers  of  doing  either  harm  or 
good  seemed  at  an  end. 

While  in  this  passive  and  helpless  state,  his 
brother  El  Zagal  manifested  a sudden  anxiety  for 
his  health.  He  had  him  removed,  with  all  ten- 


DEATH  OF  MULEY  ABUL  HASSAN  249 


derness  and  care,  to  Salobrena,  another  fortress 
on  the  Mediterranean  coast,  famous  for  its  pure 
and  salubrious  air  ; and  the  alcayde,  who  was  a 
devoted  adherent  to  El  Zagal,  was  charged  to 
have  especial  care  that  nothing  was  wanting  to 
the  comfort  and  solace  of  his  brother. 

Salobrena  was  a small  town,  situated  on  a lofty 
and  rocky  hill,  in  the  midst  of  a beautiful  and 
fertile  vega,  shut  up  on  three  sides  by  mountains, 
and  opening  on  the  fourth  to  the  Mediterranean. 
It  was  protected  by  strong  walls  and  a powerful 
castle,  and,  being  deemed  impregnable,  was  often 
used  by  the  Moorish  kings  as  a place  of  deposit 
for  their  treasures.  They  were  accustomed  also 
to  assign  it  as  a residence  for  such  of  their  sons 
and  brothers  as  might  endanger  the  security  of 
their  reign.  Here  the  princes  lived,  in  luxurious 
repose : they  had  delicious  gardens,  perfumed 
baths,  a harem  of  -beauties,  at  their  command  — - 
nothing  was  denied  them  but  the  liberty  to  de- 
part ; that  alone  was  wanting  to  render  this 
abode  an  earthly  paradise. 

Such  wa^the  delightful  place  appointed  by  El 
Zagal  for  the  residence  of  his  brother  ; but  not- 
withstanding its  wonderful  salubrity,  the  old  mon- 
arch had  not  been  removed  thither  many  days 
before  he  expired.  There  was  nothing  extraor- 
dinary in  his  death : life  with  him  had  long  been 
glimmering  in  the  socket,  and  for  some  time  past 
he  might  rather  have  been  numbered  with  the 
dead  than  with  the  living.  The  public,  however, 
are  fond  of  seeing  things  in  a sinister  and  mys- 
terious point  of  view,  and  there  were  many  dark 


250 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


surmises  as  to  the  cause  of  this  event.  El  Zagal 
acted  in  a manner  to  heighten  these  suspicions  : 
he  caused  the  treasures  of  his  deceased  brother 
to  be  packed  on  mules  and  brought  to  Granada, 
where  he  took  possession  of  them,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  the  children  of  Abul  Hassan.  The  sul- 
tana Zoraya  and  her  two  sons  were  lodged  in  the 
Alhambra,  in  the  tower  of  Comares.  This  was 
a residence  in  a palace  — but  it  had  proved  a 
royal  prison  to  the  sultana  Ayxa  la  Horra,  and 
her  youthful  son  Boabdil.  There  the  unhappy 
Zoraya  had  time  to  meditate  upon  the  disappoint- 
ment of  all  those  ambitious  schemes  for  herself 
and  children,  for  which  she  had  stained  her  con- 
science with  so  many  crimes. 

The  corpse  of  old  Muley  was  also  brought  to 
Granada,  not  in  state  becoming  the  remains  of  a 
once  powerful  sovereign,  but  transported  on  a 
mule,  like  the  corpse  of  the  poorest  peasant.  It 
received  no  honor  or  ceremonial  from  El  Zagal, 
and  appears  to  have  been  interred  obscurely,  to 
prevent  any  popular  sensation,  and  it  is  recorded 
by  an  ancient  and  faithful  chronicler  of  the  time, 
that  the  body  of  the  old  monarch  was  deposited 
by  two  Christian  captives  in  his  osario  or  charnel- 
house.^  Such  was  the  end  of  the  turbulent 
Muley  Abul  Hassan,  who,  after  passing  his  life  in 
constant  contests  for  empire,  could  scarce  gain 
quiet  admission  into  the  corner  of  a sepulchre. 

No  sooner  were  the  populace  well  assured  that 
old  Muley  Abul  Hassan  was  dead,  and  beyond 
recovery,  than  they  all  began  to  extol  his  mem- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  c.  77. 


PARTIAL  RESTORATION  OF  BOABDIL.  251 


ory,  and  deplore  his  loss.  They  admitted  that 
he  had  been  fierce  and  cruel,  but  then  he  had 
been  brave ; he  had,  to  be  sure,  pulled  this  war 
upon  their  heads,  but  he  had  likewise  been 
crushed  by  it.  In  a word,  he  was  dead ; and  his 
death  atoned  for  every  fault ; for  a king,  recently 
dead,  is  generally  either  a hero  or  a saint. 

In  proportion  as  they  ceased  to  hate  old  Mu- 
ley,  they  began  to  hate  his  brother.  The  circum- 
stances of  the  old  king’s  death,  the  eagerness  to 
appropriate  his  treasures,  the  scandalous  neglect 
of  his  corpse,  and  the  imprisonment  of  his  sul- 
tana and  children,  all  filled  the  public  mind  with 
gloomy  suspicions ; and  the  epithet  of  Fratricide  ! 
was  sometimes  substituted  for  that  of  El  Zagal, 
in  the  low  murmurings  of  the  people. 

As  the  public  must  always  have  some  object 
to  like  as  well  as  to  hate,  there  began  once  more 
to  be  an  inquiry  after  their  fugitive  king,  Boab- 
dil  el  Chico.  That  unfortunate  monarch  was  still 
at  Cordova,  existing  on  the  cool  courtesy  and 
meagre  friendship  of  Ferdinand  ; which  had 
waned  exceedingly,  ever  since  Boabdil  had  ceased 
to  have  any  influence  in  his  late  dominions.  The 
reviving  interest  expressed  in  his  fate  by  the 
Moorish  public,  and  certain  secret  overtures  made 
to  him,  once  more  aroused  the  sympathy  of  Fer- 
dinand : he  advised  Boabdil  again  to  set  up  his 
standard  within  the  frontiers  of  Granada,  and 
furnished  him  with  money  and  means  for  the 
purpose.  Boabdil  advanced  but  a little  way  into 
his  late  territories  ; he  took  up  his  post  at  Velez 
el  Blanco,  a strong  town  on  the  confines  of  Mur- 


252 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


cia ; there  he  established  the  shadow  of  a court, 
and  stood,  as  it  were,  with  one  foot  over  the 
border,  and  ready  to  draw  that  back  upon  the 
least  alarm.  His  presence  in  the  kingdom,  how- 
ever, and  his  assumption  of  royal  state,  gave  life 
to  his  faction  in  Granada.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  Albaycin,  the  poorest  but  most  warlike  part 
of  the  populace,  were  generally  in  his  favor  : the 
more  rich,  courtly,  and  aristocratical  inhabitants 
of  the  quarter  of  the  Alhambra,  rallied  round 
what  appeared  to  be  the  most  stable  authority, 
and  supported  the  throne  of  El  Zagal.  So  it  is, 
in  the  admirable  order  of  sublunary  affairs  : 
everything  seeks  its  kind  ; the  rich  befriend  the 
rich,  the  powerful  stand  by  the  powerful,  the  poor 
enjoy  the  patronage  of  the  poor  — and  thus  a 
universal  harmony  prevails  ! 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Of  the  Christian  Army  which  assembled  at  the  City  of  Cor- 
dova. 

REAT  and  glorious  was  the  style  with 
which  the  Catholic  sovereigns  opened 
another  year’s  campaign  of  this  eventful 
t was  like  commencing  another  act  of  a 
stately  and  heroic  drama,  where  the  curtain  rises 
to  the  inspiring  sound  of  martial  melody  and  the 
whole  stage  glitters  with  the  array  of  warriors 
and  the  pomp  of  arms.  The  ancient  city  of  Cor- 
dova was  the  place  appointed  by  the  sovereigns 
for  the  assemblage  of  the  troops ; and  early  in 
the  spring  of  1486,  the  fair  valley  of  the  Gua- 
dalquivir resounded  with  the  shrill  blast  of  trum- 
pet, and  the  impatient  neighing  of  the  war-horse. 
In  this  splendid  era  of  Spanish  chivalry,  there 
was  a rivalship  among  the  nobles  who  most 
should  distinguish  himself  by  the  splendor  of  his 
appearance,  and  the  number  and  equipments  of  his 
feudal  followers.  Every  day  beheld  some  cava- 
lier of  note,  the  representative  of  some  proud  and 
powerful  house,  entering  the  gates  of  Cordova 
with  sound  of  trumpet,  and  displaying  his  ban- 
ner and  device,  renowned  in  many  a contest.  He 
would  appear  in  sumptuous  array,  surrounded  by 
pages  and  lackeys  no  less  gorgeously  attired,  and 


war. 


254 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


followed  by  a host  of  vassals  and  retainers,  norse 
and  foot,  all  admirably  equipped  in  burnished  ar- 
mor. 

Such  was  the  state  of  Don  Inigo  Lopez  de 
Mendoza,  duke  of  Infantado ; who  may  be  cited 
as  a picture  of  a warlike  noble  of  those  times. 
He  brought  with  him  five  hundred  men-at-arms 
of  his  household,  armed  and  mounted  a la  gineta 
and  a la  guisa.  The  cavaliers  who  attended  him 
were  magnificently  armed  and  dressed.  The 
housings  of  fifty  of  his  horses  were  of  rich  cloth, 
embroidered  with  gold ; and  others  were  of  bro- 
cade. The  Sumpter  mules  had  housings  of  the 
same,  with  halters  of  silk ; while  the  bridles, 
head-pieces,  and  all  the  harnessing,  glittered  with 
silver. 

The  camp  equipage  of  these  noble  and  luxuri- 
ous warriors  was  equally  magnificent.  Their 
tents  were  gay  pavilions,  of  various  colors,  fitted 
up  with  silken  hangings  and  decorated  with  flut- 
tering pennons.  They  had  vessels  of  gold  and 
silver  for  the  service  of  their  tables,  as  if  they 
were  about  to  engage  in  a course  of  stately  feasts 
and  courtly  revels,  instead  of  the  stern  encoun- 
ters of  rugged  and  mountainous  warfare.  Some- 
times they  passed  through  the  streets  of  Cordova 
at  night,  in  splendid  cavalcade,  with  great  num- 
bers of  lighted  torches,  the  rays  of  which,  falling 
upon  polished  armor  and  nodding  plumes,  and 
silken  scarfs,  and  trappings  of  golden  embroidery, 
filled  all  beholders  with  admiration.^ 

But  it  was  not  the  chivalry  of  Spain,  alone, 
1 Pulgar,  part  3,  cap.  41,  56. 


CHRISTIAN  ARMY  AT  CORDOVA,  255 


which  thronged  the  streets  of  Cordova.  The 
fame  of  this  war  had  spread  throughout  Chris- 
tendom : it  was  considered  a kind  of  crusade ; and 
Catholic  knights  from  all  parts  hastened  to  sig- 
nalize themselves  in  so  holy  a cause.  There 
were  several  valiant  chevaliers  from  France, 
among  whom  the  most  distinguished  was  Gaston 
du  Leon,  seneschal  of  Toulouse.  With  him 
came  a gallant  train,  well  armed  and  mounted, 
and  decorated  with  rich  surcoats  and  panaches  of 
feathers.  These  cavaliers,  it  is  said,  eclipsed  all 
others  in  the  light  festivities  of  the  court : they 
were  devoted  to  the  fair,  but  not  after  the  solemn 
and  passionate  manner  of  the  Spanish  lovers ; 
they  were  gay,  gallant,  and  joyous  in  their 
amours,  and  captivated  by  the  vivacity  of  their 
attacks.  They  were  at  first  held  in  light  estima- 
tion by  the  grave  and  stately  Spanish  knights, 
until  they  made  themselves  to  be  respected  by 
their  wonderful  prowess  in  the  field. 

The  most  conspicuous  of  the  volunteers,  how- 
ever, who  appeared  in  Cordova  on  this  occasion, 
was  an  English  knight  of  royal  connection. 
This  was  the  lord  Scales,  earl  of  Rivers,  brother 
to  the  queen  of  England,  wife  of  Henry  VII. 
He  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  preceding 
year,  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth  field,  where 
Henry  Tudor,  then  earl  of  Richmond,  overcame 
Richard  III.  That  decisive  battle  having  left 
the  country  at  peace,  the  earl  of  Rivers,  having 
conceived  a passion  for  warlike  scenes,  repaired 
to  the  Castilian  court,  to  keep  his  arms  in  exer- 
cise in  a campaign  against  the  Moors.  He 


256 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


brought  with  him  a hundred  archers,  all  dexter- 
ous with  the  long-bow  and  the  cloth-yard  arrow  ; 
also  two  hundred  yeomen,  armed  cap-a-pie,  who 
fought  with  pike  and  battle*  axe  — men  robust  of 
frame,  and  of  prodigious  strength.  The  worthy 
padre  F ray  Antonio  Agapida  describes  this  stran- 
ger, knight  and  his  followers  with  his  accustomed 
accuracy  and  minuteness. 

“ This  cavalier,”  he  observes,  was  from  the 
far  island  of  England,  and  brought  with  him  a 
train  of  his  vassals ; men  who  had  been  hard- 
ened in  certain  civil  wars  which  raged  in  their 
country.  They  were  a comely  race  of  men,  but 
too  fair  and  fresh  for  warriors,  not  having  the 
sunburnt,  warlike  hue  of  our  old  Castilian  sol- 
diery. They  were  huge  feeders  also,  and  deep 
carousers,  and  could  not  accommodate  themselves 
to  the  sober  diet  of  our  troops,  but  must  fain  eat 
and  drink  after  the  manner  of  their  own  country. 
They  were  often  noisy  and  unruly,  also,  in  their 
wassail ; and  their  quarter  of  the  camp  was  prone 
to  be  a scene  of  loud  revel  and  sudden  brawl. 
They  were,  withal,  of  great  pride,  yet  it  was  not 
like  our  inflammable  Spanish  pride  : they  stood 
not  much  upon  the  pundonor^  the  high  punctilio, 
and  rarely  drew  the  stiletto  in  their  disputes ; but 
their  pride  was  silent  and  contumelious.  Though 
from  a remote  and  somewhat  barbarous  island, 
they  believed  themselves  the  most  perfect  men 
upon  earth,  and  magnified  their  chieftain,  the  lord 
Scales,  beyond  the  greatest  of  their  grandees. 
With  all  this,  it  must  be  said  of  them  that  they 
were  marvelous  good  men  in  the  field,  dexter- 


THE  ENGLISH  LORD  SCALES. 


257 


ous  archers,  and  powerful  with  the  battle-axe. 
In  their  great  pride  and  self-will,  they  always 
sought  to  press  in  the  advance  and  take  the  post 
of  danger,  trying  to  outvie  our  Spanish  chivalry. 
They  did  not  rush  on  fiercely  to  the  fight,  nor 
make  a brilliant  onset  like  the  Moorish  and 
Spanish  troops,  but  they  went  into  the  fight  de- 
liberately, and  persisted  • obstinately,  and  were 
slow  to  find  out  when  they  were  beaten.  Withal 
they  were  much  esteemed,  yet  little  liked  by  our 
soldiery,  who  considered  them  stanch  companions 
in  the  field,  yet  coveted  but  little  fellowship  with 
them  in  the  camp. 

“ Their  commander,  the  lord  Scales,  was  an 
accomplished  cavalier,  of  gracious  and  noble  pres- 
ence and  fair  speech  ; it  was  a marvel  to  see 
so  much  courtesy  in  a knight  brought  up  so  far 
from  our  Castilian  court.  He  was  much  honored 
by  the  king  and  queen,  and  found  great  favor 
with  the  fair  dames  about  the  court,  who  indeed 
are  rather  prone  to  be  pleased  with  foreign  cava- 
liers. He  went  always  in  costly  state,  attended 
by  pages  and  esquires,  and  accompanied  by  noble 
young  cavaliers  of  his  country,  who  had  enrolled 
themselves  under  his  banner,  to  learn  the  gentle 
exercise  of  arms.  In  all  pageants  and  festivals, 
the  eyes  of  the  populace  were  attracted  by  the 
singular  bearing  and  rich  array  of  the  English 
earl  and  his  train,  who  prided  themselves  in  al- 
ways appearing  in  the  garb  and  manner  of  their 
country  — and  were  indeed  something  very  mag- 
nificent, delectable,  and  strange  to  behold.” 

The  worthy  chronicler  is  no  less  elaborate  in  his 
17 


258 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


description  of  the  masters  of  Santiago,  Calatravaj 
and  Alcantara,  and  their  valiant  knights,  armed  at 
all  points,  and  decorated  with  the  badges  of  their  or- 
ders. These,  he  affirms,  were  the  flower  of  Chris- 
tian chivalry  ; being  constantly  in  service,  they 
became  more  steadfast  and  accomplished  in  dis- 
cipline than  the  irregular  and  temporary  levies 
of  the  feudal  nobles.  Calm,  solemn,  and  stately, 
they  sat  like  towers  upon  their  powerful  chargers. 
On  parades,  they  manifested  none  of  the  show 
and  ostentation  of  the  other  troops : neither,  in 
battle,  did  they  endeavor  to  signalize  themselves 
by  any  fiery  vivacity,  or  desperate  and  vainglo- 
rious exploit  — everything,  with  them,  was  meas- 
ured and  sedate  ; yet  it  was  observed,  that  none 
were  more  warlike  in  their  appearance  in  the 
camp,  or  more  terrible  for  their  achievements  in 
the  field. 

The  gorgeous  magnificence  of  the  Spanish  no- 
bles found  but  little  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the 
sovereigns.  They  saw  that  it  caused  a competi- 
tion in  expense,  ruinous  to  cavaliers  of  moderate 
fortune  ; and  they  feared  that  a softness  and  ef- 
feminacy might  thus  be  introduced,  incompatible 
with  the  stern  nature  of  the  war.  They  signified 
their  disapprobation  to  several  of  the  principal 
noblemen,  and  recommended  a more  sober  and 
soldierlike  display  while  in  actual  service. 

‘‘  These  are  rare  troops  for  a tourney,  my  lord,” 
said  Ferdinand  to  the  duke  of  Infantado,  as  he 
beheld  his  retainers  glittering  in  gold  and  embroid- 
ery ; “ but  gold,  though  gorgeous,  is  soft  and 
yielding  : iron  is  the  metal  for  the  field.” 


CAMPAIGN  AGAINST  LOXA. 


259 


“ Sire,”  replied  the  duke,  if  my  men  parade 
in  gold,  your  majesty  will  find  they  fight  with 
Bteel.”  The  king  smiled,  but  shook  his  head,  and 
the  duke  treasured  up  his  speech  in  his  heart. 

It  remains  now  to  reveal  the  immediate  object 
of  this  mighty  and  chivalrous  preparation,  which 
had,  in  fact,  the  gratification  of  a royal  pique  at 
bottom.  The  severe  lesson  which  Ferdinand  had 
received  from  the  veteran  Ali  Atar,  before  the 
walls  of  Loxa,  though  it  had  been  of  great  ser- 
vice in  rendering  him  wary  in  his  attacks  upon 
fortified  places,  yet  rankled  sorely  in  his  mind  ; 
and  he  had  ever  since  held  Loxa  in  peculiar 
odium.  It  was,  in  truth,  one  of  the  most  bellig- 
erent and  troublesome  cities  on  the  borders,  in- 
cessantly harrassing  Andalusia  by  its  incursions. 
It  also  intervened  between  the  Christian  territo- 
ries and  Alhama,  and  other  important  places 
gained  in  the  kingdom  of  Granada.  For  all 
these  reasons  King  Ferdinand  had  determined  to 
make  another  grand  attempt  upon  this  warrior 
city  ; and  for  this  purpose,  had  summoned  to  the 
field  his  most  powerful  chivalry. 

It  was  in  the  month  of  May,  that  the  king  sal- 
lied from  Cordova,  at  the  head  of  his  army.  He 
had  twelve  thousand  cavalry  and  forty  thousand 
foot-soldiers,  armed  with  cross-bows,  lances,  and 
arquebuses.  There  were  six  thousand  pioneers, 
with  hatchets,  pickaxes,  and  crowbars,  for  level- 
ing roads.  He  took  with  him,  also,  a great  train 
of  lombards  and  other  heavy  artillery,  with  a body 
of  Germans  skilled  in  the  service  of  ordnance, 
and  the  art  of  battering  walls. 


260 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


It  was  a glorious  spectacle  (says  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida)  to  behold  this  pompous  pageant  issuing 
forth  from  Cordova,  the  pennons  and  devices 
of  the  proudest  houses  of  Spain,  with  those  of 
gallant  stranger  knights,  fluttering  above  a sea  of 
crests  and  plumes  ; to  see  it  slowly  moving,  with 
flash  of  helm,  and  cuirass,  and  buckler,  across  the 
ancient  bridge,  and  reflected  in  the  waters  of  the 
Guadalquivir,  while  the  neigh  of  steed  and  blast 
of  trumpet  vibrated  in  the  air,  and  resounded  to  the 
distant  mountains.  “ But  above  all,”  concludes 
the  good  father,  with  his  accustomed  zeal,  “ it 
was  triumphant  to  behold  the  standard  of  the 
faith  everywhere  displayed,  and  to  reflect  that 
this  was  no  worldly-minded  army,  intent  upon 
some  temporal  scheme  of  ambition  or  revenge  ; 
but  a Christian  host,  bound  on  a crusade  to  extir- 
pate the  vile  seed  of  Mahomet  from  the  land,  and 
to  extend  the  pure  dominion  of  the  church.” 


CHAPTER  XXXVIL 

How  fresh  Commotions  broke  out  in  Granada,  and  how  th« 
People  undertook  to  allay  them. 

HILE  perfect  unity  of  object  and  har- 
mony of  operation  gave  power  to  the 
Christian  arms,  the  devoted  kingdom  of 
Granada  continued  a prey  to  internal  feuds. 
The  transient  popularity  of  El  Zagal  had  declined 
ever  since  the  death  of  his  brother,  and  the  party 
of  Boabdil  was  daily  gaining  strength  ; the  Al- 
baycin  and  the  Alhambra  were  again  arrayed 
against  each  other  in  deadly  strife,  and  the  streets 
of  unhappy  Granada  were  daily  dyed  in  the 
blood  of  her  children.  In  the  midst  of  these 
dissensions,  tidings  arrived  of  the  formidable 
army  assembling  at  Cordova.  The  rival  factions 
paused  in  their  infatuated  brawls,  and  were  roused 
to  a temporary  sense  of  the  common  danger.  They 
forthwith  resorted  to  their  old  expedient  of  new- 
modeling  their  government,  or  rather  of  making 
and  unmaking  kings.  The  elevation  of  El  Zagal 
to  the  throne  had  not  produced  the  desired  effect 
— what  then  was  to  be  done  ? Recall  Boabdil 
el  Chico,  and  acknowledge  him  again  as  sove- 
reign? While  they  were  in  a popular  tumult  of 
deliberation,  Hamet  Aben  Zarrax,  surnamed  EJ 


262 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Santo,  rose  among  them.  This  was  the  same 
wild,  melancholy  man,  who  had  predicted  the 
woes  of  Granada.  He  issued  from  one  of  the 
caverns  of  the  adjacent  height  which  overhangs 
the  Darro,  and  has  since  been  called  the  Holy 
Mountain.  His  appearance  was  more  haggard 
than  ever  ; for  the  unheeded  spirit  of  prophecy 
seemed  to  have  turned  inwardly,  and  preyed 
upon  his  vitals.  “ Beware,  O Moslems,’’  ex- 
claimed he,  of  men  who  are  eager  to  govern, 
yet  are  unable  to  protect.  Why  slaughter  each 
other  for  El  Chico  or  El  Zagal  ? Let  your 
kings  renounce  their  contests,  unite  for  the  sal- 
vation of  Granada,  or  let  them  be  deposed.” 

Hamet  Aben  Zarrax  had  long  been  revered  as 
a saint  — he  was  now  considered  an  oracle. 
The  old  men  and  the  nobles  immediately  con- 
sulted together,  how  the  two  rival  kings  might 
be  brought  to  accord.  They  had  tried  most  ex- 
pedients ; it  was  now  determined  to  divide  the 
kingdom  between  them  ; giving  Granada,  Malaga, 
Velez  Malaga,  Almera,  Almuhecar,  and  their  de- 
pendencies to  El  Zagal  — and  the  residue  to 
Boabdil  el  Chico.  Among  the  cities  granted  to 
the  latter,  Loxa  was  particularly  specified,  with  a 
condition  that  he  should  immediately  take  com- 
mand of  it  in  person  ; for  the  council  thought 
the  favor  he  enjoyed  with  the  Castilian  monarchs, 
might  avert  the  threatened  attack. 

El  Zagal  readily  agreed  to  this  arrangement ; 
he  had  been  hastily  elevated  to  the  throne  by  an 
ebullition  of  the  people,  and  might  be  as  hastily 
cast  down  again.  It  secured  him  one  half  of  a 


THE  MOORISH  KINGDOM  DIVIDED.  263 


kingdom  to  wliich  he  had  no  hereditary  right,  and 
he  trusted  to  force  or  fraud  to  gain  the  other  half 
hereafter.  The  wily  old  monarch  even  sent  a 
deputation  to  his  nephew,  making  a merit  of 
offering  him  cheerfully  the  half  which  he  had 
thus  been  compelled  to  relinquish,  and  inviting 
him  to  enter  into  an  amicable  coalition  for  the 
good  of  the  country. 

The  heart  of  Boabdil  shrank  from  all  con- 
nection with  a man  who  had  sought  his  life, 
and  whom  he  regarded  as  the  murderer  of 
his  kindred.  He  accepted  one  half  of  the 
kingdom  as  an  offer  from  the  nation,  not  to  be 
rejected  by  a prince  who  scarcely  held  possession 
of  the  ground  he  stood  on.  He  asserted,  never- 
theless, his  absolute  right  to  the  whole,  and  only 
submitted  to  the  partition  out  of  anxiety  for  the 
present  good  of  his  people.  He  assembled  his 
handful  of  adherents,  and  prepared  to  hasten  to 
Loxa.  As  he  mounted  his  horse  to  depart, 
Hamet  Aben  Zarrax  stood  suddenly  before  him. 

Be  true  to  thy  country  and  thy  faith,”  cried 
he  : “ hold  no  further  communication  with  these 
Christian  dogs.  Trust  not  the  hollow-hearted 
friendship  of  the  Castilian  king;  he  is  mining 
the  earth  beneath  thy  feet.  Choose  one  of  two 
things ; be  a sovereign  or  a slave  — thou  canst 
not  be  both.” 

Boabdil  ruminated  on  these  words ; he  made 
many  wise  resolutions,  but  he  was  prone  always 
to  act  from  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  and  was 
unfortunately  given  to  temporize  in  his  policy. 
He  wrote  to  Ferdinand,  informing  him  that  Loxa 


264 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


find  certain  otlier  cities  had  returned  to  their  alle- 
giance, and  that  he  held  them  as  vassal  to  the 
Castilian  crown,  according  to  their  convention. 
He  conjured  him,  therefore,  to  refrain  from  any 
meditated  attack,  offering  free  passage  to  the 
Spanish  army  to  Malaga,  or  any  other  place 
under  the  dominion  of  his  uncle.^ 

Ferdinand  turned  a deaf  ear  to  the  entreaty, 
and  to  all  professions  of  friendship  and  vassalage. 
Boabdil  was  nothing  to  him,  but  as  an  instrument 
for  stirring  up  the  flames  of  civil  war.  Fie  now 
insisted  that  he  had  entered  into  a hostile  league 
with  his  uncle,  and  had  consequently  forfeited  all 
claims  to  his  indulgence ; and  he  prosecuted,  with 
the  greater  earnestness,  his  campaign  against  the 
city  of  Loxa. 

‘‘  Thus,”  observes  the  worthy  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida,  thus  did  this  most  sagacious  sovereign 
act  upon  the  text  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  the 
Evangelist  St.  Luke,  that  ‘ a kingdom  divided 
against  itself  cannot  stand.’  He  had  induced  these 
infidels  to  waste  and  destroy  themselves  by  inter- 
nal dissensions,  and  finally  cast  forth  the  survivor ; 
while  the  Moorish  monarchs,  by  their  ruinous 
contests,  made  good  the  old  Castilian  proverb  in 
cases  of  civil  war,  ‘ El  vencido  vencido,  y el  ven- 
cidor  perdido,’  (the  conquered  conquered,  and  the 
conqueror  undone.)”  ^ 

1 Zuiita,  lib.  20,  c.  68. 


2 Garibay,  lib.  40,  c.  38. 


CHAPTEE  XXXVIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  held  a Council  of  War,  at  the  Rock  of 
the  Lovers. 

royal  army,  on  its  march  against 
Loxa,  lay  encamped,  one  pleasant  even- 
ing  in  May,  in  a meadow  on  the  banks 
of  the  river  Yeguas,  around  the  foot  of  a lofty 
cliff  called  the  Rock  of  the  Lovers.  The  quarters 
of  each  nobleman  formed,  as  it  were,  a sepa- 
rate little  encampment ; his  stately  pavilion,  sur- 
mounted by  his  fluttering  pennon,  rising  above 
the  surrounding  tents  of  his  vassals  and  retainers. 
A little  apart  from  the  others,  as  it  were  in  proud 
reserve,  was  the  encampment  of  the  English  earl. 
It  was  sumptuous  in  its  furniture,  and  complete 
in  all  its  munitions.  Archers,  and  soldiers  armed 
with  battle-axes,  kept  guard  around  it ; while 
above,  the  standard  of  England  rolled  out  its 
ample  folds,  and  flapped  in  the  evening  breeze. 

The  mingled  sounds  of  various  tongues  and 
nations  were  heard  from  the  soldiery,  as  they 
watered  their  horses  in  the  stream,  or  busied 
themselves  round  the  fires  which  began  to  glow, 
here  and  there,  in  the  twilight : the  gay  chanson 
of  the  Frenchman,  singing  of  his  amours  on  the 
pleasant  banks  of  the  Loire,  or  the  sunny  regions 


266 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


of  the  Garonne  ; the  broad  guttural  tones  of  the 
German,  chanting  some  doughty  krieger  lied,,  or 
extolling  the  vintage  of  the  Rhine  ; the  wild 
romance  of  the  Spaniard,  reciting  the  achievements 
of  the  Cid,  and  many  a famous  passage  of  the 
Moorish  wars  ; and  the  long  and  melancholy  ditty 
of  the  Englishman,  treating  of  some  feudal  hero 
or  redoubtable  outlaw  of  his  distant  island. 

On  a rising  ground,  commanding  a view  of  the 
whole  encampment,  stood  the  ample  and  magnifi- 
cent pavilion  of  the  king,  with  the  banner  of 
Castile  and  Aragon,  and  the  holy  standard  of  the 
cross,  erected  before  it.  In  this  tent  were  as- 
sembled the  principal  commanders  of  the  army, 
having  been  summoned  by  Ferdinand  to  a council 
of  war,  on  receiving  tidings  that  Boabdil  had 
thrown  himself  into  Loxa  with  a considerable 
reinforcement.  After  some  conclusion,  it  was 
determined  to  invest  Loxa  on  both  sides : one 
part  of  the  army  should  seize  upon  the  dangerous 
but  commanding  height  of  Santo  Albohacen,  in 
front  of  the  city  ; while  the  remainder,  making  a 
circuit,  should  encamp  on  the  opposite  side. 

No  sooner  was  this  resolved  upon,  than  the 
marques  of  Cadiz  stood  forth  and  claimed  the 
post  of  danger  in  behalf  of  himself  and  those 
cavaliers,  his  companions  in  arms,  who  had  been 
compelled  to  relinquish  it  by  the  general  retreat 
of  the  army  on  the  former  siege.  The  enemy 
had  exulted  over  them,  as  if  driven  from  it  in  dis- 
grace. To  regain  that  perilous  height,  to  pitch 
their  tents  upon  it,  and  to  avenge  the  blood  of 
their  valiant  compeer,  the  master  of  Calatrava, 


THE  HEIGHT  OF  ALBOHACEN. 


267 


who  had  fallen  upon  it,  was  due  to  their  fame  ; 
the  marques  demanded,  therefore,  that  they  might 
lead  the  advance  and  secure  that  height,  engaging 
to  hold  the  enemy  employed  until  the  main  army 
should  take  its  position  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  city. 

King  Ferdinand  readily  granted  his  permission  ; 
upon  which  the  count  de  Cabra  entreated  to  be 
admitted  to  a share  of  the  enterprise.  He  had 
always  been  accustomed  to  serve  in  the  advance ; 
and  now  that  Boabdil  was  in  the  field,  and  a king 
was  to  be  taken,  he  could  not  content  himself 
with  remaining  in  the  rear.  Ferdinand  yielded 
his  consent,  for  he  was  disposed  to  give  the  good 
count  every  opportunity  to  retrieve  his  late  dis- 
aster. 

The  English  earl,  when  he  heard  there  was  an 
enterprise  of  danger  in  question,  was  hot  to  be 
admitted  to  the  party  ; but  the  king  restrained  his 
ardor.  “ These  cavaliers,”  said  he,  “ conceive 
that  they  have  an  account  to  settle  with  their 
pride  ; let  them  have  the  enterprise  to  themselves, 
my  lord  ; if  you  follow  these  Moorish  wars  long, 
you  will  find  no  lack  of  perilous  service.” 

The  marques  of  Cadiz,  and  his  companions  in 
arms,  struck  their  tents  before  daybreak ; they 
were  five  thousand  horse  and  twelve  thousand 
foot,  and  marched  rapidly  along  the  defiles  of  the 
mountains ; the  cavaliers  being  anxious  to  strike 
the  blow,  and  get  possession  of  the  height  of 
Albohacen,  before  the  king  with  the  main  army 
Bhould  arrive  to  their  assistance. 

The  city  of  Loxa  stands  on  a high  hill,  between 


268 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


two  mountains,  on  the  banks  of  the  Xenil.  To 
attain  the  height  of  Albohacen,  the  troops  had  to 
pass  over  a tract  of  rugged  and  broken  country, 
and  a deep  valley,  intersected  by  those  canals  and 
watercourses  with  which  the  Moors  irrigated  their 
lands  : they  were  extremely  embarrassed  in  this 
part  of  their  march,  and  in  imminent  risk  of 
being  cut  up  in  detail  before  they  could  reach  the 
height. 

The  count  de  Cabra,  with  his  usual  eagerness, 
endeavored  to  push  across  this  valley,  in  defiance 
of  every  obstacle  ; he,  in  consequence,  soou  be- 
came entangled  with  his  cavalry  among  the  ca- 
nals ; but  his  impatience  would  not  permit  him  to 
retrace  his  steps,  and  choose  a more  practicable 
but  circuitous  route.  Others  slowly  crossed 
another  part  of  the  valley,  by  the  aid  of  pontoons  ; 
while  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  Don  Alonzo  de 
Aguilar,  and  the  count  de  Urena,  being  more  ex- 
perienced in  the  ground  from  their  former  cam- 
paign, made  a circuit  round  the  bottom  of  the 
height,  and,  winding  up  it,  began  to  display  their 
squadrons  and  elevate  their  banners  on  the  re- 
doubtable post,  which,  in  their  former  siege,  they 
had  been  compelled  so  reluctantly  to  abandon. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

How  the  Royal  Army  appeared  before  the  City  of  Loxa,  and 
how  it  was  received;  and  of  the  Doughty  Achievements  of 
the  English  Earl. 

HE  advance  of  the  Christian  army  upon 
Loxa,  threw  the  wavering  Boabdil  el 
Chico  into  one  of  his  usual  dilemmas  ; 
and  he  was  greatly  perplexed  between  his  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Spanish  sovereigns,  and  his 
sense  of  duty  to  his  subjects.  His  doubts  were 
determined  by  the  sight  of  the  enemy  glittering 
upon  the  height  of  Albohacen,  and  by  the  clamors 
of  the  people  to  be  led  forth  to  battle.  “ Allah  ! ” 
exclaimed  he,  “ thou  knowest  my  heart : thou 
knowest  I have  been  true  in  my  faith  to  this 
Christian  monarch.  I have  offered  to  hold  Loxa 
as  his  vassal,  but  he  has  preferred  to  approach  it 
as  an  enemy  — on  his  head  be  the  infraction  of 
our  treaty  ! ” 

Boabdil  was  not  wanting  in  courage ; he  only 
needed  decision.  When  he  had  once  made  up 
his  mind,  he  acted  vigorously  ; the  misfortune  was, 
he  either  did  not  make  it  up  at  all,  or  he  made  it 
up  too  late.  He  who  decides  tardily  generally 
acts  rashly,  endeavoring  to  make  up  by  hurry  of 
action  for  slowness  of  deliberation.  Boabdil 
hastily  buckled  on  his  armor,  and  sallied  forth, 


270 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


surrounded  by  his  guards,  and  at  the  head  of  five 
hundred  horse  and  four  thousand  foot,  the  flower 
of  his  army.  Some  he  detached  to  skirmish  with 
the  Christians,  who  were  scattered  and  perplexed 
in  the  valley,  and  to  prevent  their  concentrating 
their  forces  ; while,  with  his  main  body,  he 
pressed  forward  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the 
height  of  Albohacen,  before  they  had  time  to  col- 
lect there  in  any  number,  or  to  fortify  themselves 
in  that  important  position. 

The  worthy  count  de  Cabra  was  yet  entangled 
with  his  cavalry  among  the  water-courses  of  the 
valley,  when  he  heard  the  war-cries  of  the  Moors, 
and  saw  their  army  rushing  over  the  bridge.  He 
recognized  Boabdil  himself,  by  his  splendid  armor, 
the  magnificent  caparison  of  his  steed,  and  the 
brilliant  guard  which  surrounded  him.  The  royal 
host  swept  on  toward  the  height  of  Albohacen : 
an  intervening  hill  hid  it  from  his  sight ; but 
loud  shouts  and  cries,  the  din  of  drums  and 
trumpets,  and  the  reports  of  arquebuses,  gave 
note  that  the  battle  had  begun. 

Here  was  a royal  prize  in  the  field,  and  the 
count  de  Cabra  unable  to  get  into  the  action ! 
The  good  cavalier  was  in  an  agony  of  impa- 
tience ; every  attempt  to  force  his  way  across  the 
valley  only  plunged  him  into  new  difficulties. 
At  length,  after  many  eager  but  ineffectual  efforts, 
he  was  obliged  to  order  his  troops  to  dismount,  and 
slowly  and  carefully  to  lead  their  horses  back,  along 
slippery  paths,  and  amid  plashes  of  mire  and  vvater, 
where  often  there  was  scarce  a foothold.  The 
good  count  groaned  in  spirit,  and  sweat  with  mere 


BOABDIL  IS  WOUNDED, 


271 


impatience  as  he  went,  fearing  the  battle  might 
be  fought,  and  the  prize  won  or  lost,  before  he 
could  reach  the  field.  Having  at  length  toilfully 
unraveled  the  mazes  of  the  valley,  and  arrived 
at  firmer  ground,  he  ordered  his  troops  to  mount, 
and  led  them  full  gallop  to  the  height.  Part  of 
the  good  count’s  wishes  were  satisfied,  but  the 
dearest  were  disappointed ; he  came  in  season  to 
partake  of  the  very  hottest  of  the  fight,  but  the 
royal  prize  was  no  longer  in  the  field. 

Boabdil  had  led  on  his  men  with  impetuous 
valor,  or  rather  with  hurried  rashness.  Heed- 
lessly exposing  himself  in  the  front  of  the  battle, 
he  received  two  wounds  in  the  very  first  encoun- 
ter. His  guards  rallied  round  him,  defended  him 
with  matchless  valor,  and  bore  him,  bleeding,  out 
of  the  action.  The  count  de  Cabr^  arrived  just 
in  time  to  see  the  loyal  squadron  crossing  the 
bridge,  and  slowly  conveying  their  disabled  mon- 
arch towards  the  gate  of  the  city. 

The  departure  of  Boabdil  made  no  difference 
in  the  fury  of  the  battle.  A Moorish  warrior, 
dark  and  terrible  in  aspect,  mounted  on  a black 
charger  and  followed  by  a band  of  savage  Go- 
meres,  rushed  forward  to  take  the  lead.  It  was 
Hamet  el  Zegri,  the  fierce  alcayde  of  Ronda,  with 
the  remnant  of  his  once  redoubtable  garrison. 
Animated  by  his  example,  the  Moors  renewed 
their  assaults  upon  the  height.  It  was  bravely 
defended  on  one  side  by  the  marques  of  Cadiz, 
on  another  by  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  ; and  as  fa^t 
as  the  Moors  ascended,  they  were  driven  back 
and  dashed  down  the  declivities.  The  count  de 


272 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Urena  took  his  stand  upon  the  fatal  spot  where 
his  brother  had  fallen ; his  followers  entered 
with  zeal  into  the  feelings  of  their  commander, 
and  heaps  of  the  enemy  sunk  beneath  theii 
weapons  — sacrifices  to  the  manes  of  the  lamented 
master  of  Calatrava. 

The  battle  continued  with  incredible  obstinacy. 
The  Moors  knew  the  importance  of  the  height  to 
the  safety  of  the  city  ; the  cavaliers  felt  their 
honors  staked  to  maintain  it.  Fresh  supplies  of 
troops  were  poured  out  of  the  city  ; some  battled 
on  the  height,  while  some  attacked  the  Christians 
who  were  still  in  the  valley  and  among  the  or- 
chards and  gardens,  to  prevent  their  uniting  their 
forces.  The  troops  in  the  valley  were  gradually 
driven  back,  and  the  whole  host  of  the  Moors 
swept  around  the  height  of  Albohacen.  The  sit- 
uation of  the  marques  de  Cadiz  and  his  compan- 
ions was  perilous  in  the  extreme  : they  were  a 
mere  handful  ; and,  while  fighting  hand  to  hand 
with  the  Moors  who  assailed  the  lieight,  were 
galled  from  a distance  by  the  cross-bows  and  ar- 
quebuses of  a host  that  augmented  each  moment 
in  number.  At  this  critical  juncture.  King  Fer- 
dinand emerged  from  the  mountains  with  the 
main  body  of  the  army,  and  advanced  to  an  em- 
inence commanding  a full  view  of  the  field  of 
action.  By  his  side  was  the  noble  English  cava- 
lier, the  earl  of  Rivers.  This  was  the  first  time 
he  had  witnessed  a scene  of  Moorish  warfare. 
He  looked  with  eager  interest  at  the  chance- 
medley  fight  before  him,  where  there  was  the 
wild  Career  of  cavalry,  the  irregular  and  tumult- 


THE  ENGLISH  CAVALIER. 


273 


uous  rush  of  infantry,  and  where  Christian  and 
Moor  were  intermingled  in  deadly  struggle.  The 
high  blood  of  the  English  knight  mounted  at  the 
sight,  and  his  soul  was  stirred  within  him,  by  the 
confused  war-cries,  the  clangor  of  drums  and 
trumpets,  and  Ihe  reports  of  arquebuses.  See- 
ing that  the  king  was  sending  a reinforcement  to 
the  field,  he  entreated  permission  to  mingle  in  the 
afiray,  and  fight  according  to  the  fashion  of  his 
country.  His  request  being  granted,  he  alighted 
from  his  steed : he  was  merely  armed  en  hlanco, 
that  is  to  say,  with  morion,  back-piece,  and  breast- 
plate ; his  sword  was  girded  by  his  side,  and  in 
his  hand  he  wielded  a powerful  battle-axe.  He 
was  followed  by  a bpdy  of  his  yeomen,  armed  in 
like  manner,  and  by  a band  of  archers  with  bows 
made  of  the  tough  English  yew-tree.  The  earl 
turned  to  his  troops,  and  addressed  them  briefiy 
and  bluntly,  according  to  the  manner  of  his  coun- 
try. “ Remember,  my  merry  men  all,”  said  he, 
“ the  eyes  of  strangers  are  upon  you ; you  are  in 
a foreign  land,  fighting  for  the  glory  of  God,  and 
the  honor  of  merry  old  England  ! ” A loud 
shout  was  the  reply.  The  earl  waved  his  battle- 
axe  over  his  head  ; “ St.  George  for  England  ! ” 

cried  he ; and  to  the  inspiring  sound  of  this  old 
English  war-cry,  he  and  his  followers  rushed  down 
to  the  battle  with  manly  and  courageous  hearts.  ^ 
They  soon  made  their  way  into  the  midst  of  the 
enemy ; but  when  engaged  in  the  hottest  of  the 
fight,  they  made  no  shouts  nor  outcries.  They 
pressed  steadily  forward,  dealing  their  blows  to 

1 Cura  de  los  Palacios. 

18 


274 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


right  and  left,  hewing  down  the  Moors,  and  cutting 
their  way,  with  their  battle-axes,  like  woodmen 
in  a forest ; while  the  archers,  pressing  into  the 
opening  they  had  made,  plied  their  bows  vigor- 
ously, and  spread  death  on  every  side. 

When  the  Castilian  mountaineers  beheld  the 
valor  of  the  English  yeomanry,  they  would  not 
be  outdone  in  hardihood.  They  could  not  vie 
with  them  in  weight  or  bulk,  but  for  vigor  and 
activity  they  were  surpassed  by  none.  They 
kept  pace  with  them,  therefore,  with  equal  heart 
and  rival  prowess,  and  gave  a brave  support  to 
the  stout  Englishmen. 

The  Moors  were  confounded  by  the  fury  of  these 
assaults,  and  disheartened  by  the  loss  of  Hamet 
el  Zegri,  who  was  carried  wounded  from  the  field. 
They  gradually  fell  back  upon  the  bridge ; the 
Christians  followed  up  their  advantage,  and  drove 
them  over  it  tumultuously.  The  Moors  retreated 
into  the  suburb  ; and  Lord  Rivers  and  his  troops 
entered  with  them  pell-mell,  fighting  in  the  streets 
and  in  the  houses.  King  Ferdinand  came  up 
to  the  scene  of  action  with  his  royal  guard,  and 
the  infidels  were  driven  within  the  city  walls. 
Thus  were  the  suburbs  gained  by  the  hardihood 
of  the  English  lord,  without  such  an  event  hav- 
ing been  premeditated.^ 

The  earl  of  Rivers,  notwithstanding  he  had 
received  a wound,  still  urged  forward  in  the  at- 
tack. He  penetrated  almost  to  the  city  gate^  in 
defiance  of  a shower  of  missiles  that  slew  many 
of  his  followers.  A stone,  hurled  from  the  bat- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  MS. 


LOXA  INVESTED. 


275 


tlements,  checked  his  impetuous  career  : it  struck 
him  in  the  face,  dashed  out  two  of  his  frontteeth, 
and  laid  him  senseless  on  the  earth.  He  was  re- 
moved to  a short  distance  by  his  men  ; but,  recov- 
ering his  senses,  refused  to  permit  himself  to  be 
taken  from  the  suburb. 

When  the  contest  was  over,  the  streets  pre- 
sented a piteous  spectacle  — so  many  of  their 
inhabitants  had  died  in  the  defense  of  their 
thresholds,  or  been  slaughtered  without  resistance. 
Among  the  victims  was  a poor  weaver,  who  had 
been  at  work  in  his  dwelling  at  this  turbulent 
moment.  His  wife  urged  him  to  fly  into  the  city. 
« Why  should  I fly  ? said  the  Moor  — “ to  be 
reserved  for  hunger  and  slavery  ? I tell  you, 
wife,  I will  await  the  foe  here ; for  better  is  it  to 
die  quickly  by  the  steel,  than  to  perish  piecemeal 
in  chains  and  dungeons.”  He  said  no  more,  but 
resumed  his  occupation  of  weaving ; and,  in  the 
indiscriminate  fury  of  the  assault,  was  slaughtered 
at  his  loom.^ 

The  Christians  remained  masters  of  the  field, 
and  proceeded  to  pitch  three  encampments  for  the 
prosecution  of  the  siege.  The  king,  with  the 
great  body  of  the  army,  took  a position  on  the 
side  of  the  city  next  to  Granada  : the  marques 
of  Cadiz  and  his  brave  companions  once  more 
pitched  their  tents  upon  the  height  of  Sancto 
Albohacen  : but  the  English  earl  planted  his 
standard  sturdily  within  the  suburbs  he  had 
taken. 


1 Pulgar,  part  3,  c.  58. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

Conclusion  of  the  Siege  of  Loxa. 


SAVING  possession  of  the  heights  of  Al- 
bohacen  and  the  suburb  of  the  city,  the 
Christians  were  enabled  to  choose  the 
most  favorable  situations  for  their  batteries. 
They  immediately  destroyed  the  stone  bridge,  by 
which  the  garrison  had  made  its  sallies ; and  they 
threw  two  wooden  bridges  across  the  river,  and 
others  over  the  canals  and  streams,  so  as  to  es- 
tablish an  easy  communication  between  the  differ- 
ent camps. 

When  all  was  arranged,  a heavy  fire  was 
opened  upon  the  city  from  various  points.  They 
threw  not  only  balls  of  stone  and  iron,  but  great 
carcasses  of  fire,  which  burst  like  meteors  on  the 
houses,  wrapping  them  instantly  in  a blaze.  The 
walls  were  shattered,  and  the  towers  toppled 
down,  by  tremendous  discharges  from  the  lom- 
bards. Through  the  openings  thus  made,  they 
could  behold  the  interior  of  the  city  — houses 
tumbling  or  in  flanes  — men,  women,  and  child- 
ren, flying  in  terror  through  the  streets,  and 
slaughtered  by  the  shower  of  missiles,  sent 
through  the  openings  from  smaller  artillery,  and 
from  cross-bows  and  arquebuses. 

The  Moors  attempted  to  repair  the  breaches, 


CAPITULATION  OF  LOXA, 


277 


but  fresh  discharges  from  the  lombards  buried 
them  beneath  the  ruins  of  the  walls  they  were 
mending.  In  their  despair,  many  of  the  inhabit- 
ants rushed  forth  into  the  narrow  streets  of  the 
suburbs,  and  assailed  the  Christians  with  darts, 
scimetars,  and  poniards,  seeking  to  destroy  rather 
than  defend,  and  heedless  of  death,  in  the  confi- 
dence that  to  die  fighting  with  an  unbeliever,  was 
to  be  translated  at  once  to  paradise. 

For  two  nights  and  a day,  this  awful  scene 
continued ; when  certain  of  the  principal  inhabit- 
ants began  to  reflect  upon  the  hopelessness  of  the 
conflict : their  king  was  disabled,  their  principal 
captains  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  their  for- 
tifications little  better  than  heaps  of  ruins.  They 
had  urged  the  unfortunate  Boabdil  to  the  con- 
flict : they  now  clamored  for  a capitulation.  A 
parley  was  procured  from  the  Christian  monarch, 
and  the  terms  of  surrender  were  soon  adjusted. 
They  were  to  yield  up  the  city  immediately,  with 
all  their  Christian  captives,  and  to  sally  forth 
with  as  much  of  their  property  as  they  could 
take  with  them.  The  marques  of  Cadiz,  on 
whose  honor  and  humanity  they  had  great  re- 
liance, was  to  escort  them  to  Granada,  to  protect 
them  from  assault  or  robbery : such  as  chose  to 
remain  in  Spain  were  to  be  permitted  to  reside  in 
Castile,  Aragon,  or  Valencia.  As  to  Boabdil  el 
Chico,  he  was  to  do  homage  as  a vassal  to  King 
Ferdinand,  but  no  charge  was  to  be  urged 
against  him  of  having  violated  his  former  pledge. 
If  he  should  yield  up  all  pretensions  to  Granada, 
the  title  of  duke  of  Guadix  was  to  be  assigned 


278 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


to  him,  and  the  territory  thereto  annexed,  provi- 
ded it  should  be  recovered  from  El  Zagal  within 
six  months. 

The  capitulation  being  arranged,  they  gave  as 
hostages  the  alcayde  of  the  city,  and  the  principal 
officers,  together  with  the  sons  of  their  late  chief- 
tain, the  veteran  Ali  Atar.  The  warriors  of 
Loxa  then  issued  forth,  humbled  and  dejected  at 
having  to  surrender  those  walls  which  they  had 
so  long  maintained  with  valor  and  renown ; and 
the  women  and  children  filled  the  air  with  lam- 
entations, at  being  exiled  from  their  native 
homes. 

Last  came  forth  Boabdil,  most  truly  called  El 
Zogoybi,  the  unlucky.  Accustomed,  as  he  was,  to 
be  crowned  and  uncrowned,  to  be  ransomed  and 
treated  as  a matter  of  bargain,  he  had  acceded  of 
course  to  the  capitulation.  He  was  enfeebled  by 
his  wounds,  and  had  an  air  of  dejection ; yet  it  is 
said,  his  conscience  acquitted  him  of  a breach  of 
faith  towards  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  and  the 
personal  valor  he  had  displayed  had  caused  a 
sympathy  for  him  among  many  of  the  Christian 
cavaliers.  He  knelt  to  Ferdinand  according  to 
the  forms  of  vassalage,  and  then  departed,  in 
melancholy  mood,  for  Priego,  a town  about  three 
leagues  distant. 

Ferdinand  immediately  ordered  Loxa  to  be 
repaired,  and  strongly  garrisoned.  He  was 
greatly  elated  at  the  capture  of  this  place,  in 
consequence  of  his  former  defeat  before  its  walls. 
He  passed  great  encomiums  upon  the  commanders 
who  had  distinguished  themselves ; and  historians 


SPEECH  OF  THE  ENGLISH  EARL,  279 


dwell  particularly  upon  liis  visit  to  the  tent  of 
the  English  earl.  His  majesty  consoled  him  for 
the  loss  of  his  teeth,  by  the  consideration  that  he 
might  otherwise  have  lost  them  by  natural  decay  ; 
whereas  the  lack  of  them  would  now  be  esteemed 
a beauty,  rather  than  a defect,  serving  as  a trophy 
of  the  glorious  cause  in  which  he  had  been  en- 
gaged. 

The  earl  replied,  that  he  gave  thanks  to  God 
and  to  the  holy  Virgin,  for  being  thus  honored  by 
a visit  from  the  most  potent  king  in  Christen- 
dom ; that  he  accepted  with  all  gratitude  his  gra- 
cious consolation  for  the  loss  of  his  teeth,  though 
he  held  it  little  to  lose  two  teeth  in  the  service 
of  God,  who  had  given  him  all ; “ A speech,  ” 
says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  full  of  most  courtly 
wit  and  Christian  piety ; and  one  only  marvels 
that  it  should  have  been  made  by  a native  of  an 
island  so  far  distant  from  Castile.” 


CHAPTER  XLL 

Capture  of  Illora. 


ING  FERDINAND  followed  up  his 
victory  at  Loxa,  by  laying  siege  to  the 
strong  town  of  Illora.  This  redoubt- 
able fortress  was  perched  upon  a high  rock,  in 
the  midst  of  a spacious  valley.  It  was  within 
four  leagues  of  the  Moorish  capital ; and  its 
lofty  castle,  keeping  vigilant  watch  over  a wide 
circuit  of  country,  was  termed  the  right  eye  of 
Granada. 

The  alcayde  of  Illora  was  one  of  the  bravest 
of  the  Moorish  commanders,  and  made  every 
preparation  to  defend  his  fortress  to  the  last 
extremity.  He  sent  the  women  and  children, 
the  aged  and  infirm,  to  the  metropolis.  He 
placed  barricades  in  the  suburbs,  opened  doors  of 
communication  from  house  to  house,  and  pierced 
their  walls  with  loop-holes  for  the  discharge  of 
crossbows,  arquebuses,  and  other  missiles. 

King  Ferdinand  arrived  before  the  place,  with 
all  his  forces  ; he  stationed  himself  upon  the 
hill  of  Encinilla,  and  distributed  the  other  en- 
campments in  various  situations,  so  as  to  invest 
the  fortress.  Knowing  the  valiant  character  of 
the  alcayde,  and  the  desperate  courage  of  the 


CAPTURE  OF  ILL  ORA. 


281 


Moors,  lie  ordered  the  encampments  to  be  forti- 
fied with  trenches  and  palisadoes,  the  guards  to 
be  doubled,  and  sentinels  to  be  placed  in  all  the 
watch-towers  of  the  adjacent  heights. 

When  all  was  ready,  the  duke  del  Infantado 
demanded  the  attack ; it  was  his  first  campaign, 
and  he  was  anxious  to  disprove  the  royal  insinu- 
ation made  against  the  hardihood  of  his  embroid- 
ered chivalry.  King  Ferdinand  granted  his 
demand,  with  a becoming  compliment  to  his 
spirit ; he  ordered  the  count  de  Cabra  to  make  a 
simultaneous  attack  upon  a different  quarter. 
Both  chiefs  led  forth  their  troops ; — those  of 
the  duke  in  fresh  and  brilliant  armor,  richly 
ornamented,  and  as  yet  uninjured  by  the  service 
of  the  field  ; those  of  the  count  were  weather- 
beaten veterans,  whose  armor  was  dented  and 
hacked  in  many  a hard-fought  baltle.  The 
youthful  duke  blushed  at  the  contrast.  “ Cav- 
aliers,” cried  he,  we  have  been  reproached 
with  the  finery  of  our  array  : let  us  prove  that 
a trenchant  blade  may  rest  in  a gilded  sheath. 
Forward  ! to  the  foe  ! and  I trust  in  God,  that 
as  we  enter  this  affray  knights  well  accoutred,  so 
we  shall  leave  it  cavaliers  well  proved.”  His 
men  responded  by  eager  acclamations,  and  the 
duke  led  them  forward  to  the  assault.  He  ad- 
vanced under  a tremendous  shower  of  stones, 
darts,  balls,  and  arrows;  but  nothing  could  check 
his  career ; he  entered  the  suburb  sword  in  hand  ; 
his  men  fought  furiously,  though  with  great  loss, 
for  every  dwelling  had  been  turned  into  a for- 
tress. After  a severe  conflict,  they  succeeded  in 


282 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


driving  the  Moors  into  the  town,  about  the  same 
time  that  the  otlier  suburb  was  carried  by  the 
count  de  Cabra  and  his  veterans. 

The  troops  of  the  duke  del  Infantado  came 
out  of  the  contest  thinned  in  number,  and  cov- 
ered with  blood,  and  dust,  and  wounds ; they 
received  the  highest  encomiums  of  the  king,  and 
there  was  never  afterwards  any  sneer  at  their 
embroidery. 

The  suburbs  being  taken,  three  batteries,  each 
furnished  with  eight  huge  lombards,  were  opened 
upon  the  fortress.  The  damage  and  havoc  were 
tremendous,  for  the  fortifications  had  not  been 
constructed  to  withstand  such  engines.  The 
towers  were  overthrown,  the  walls  battered  to 
pieces  ; the  interior  of  the  place  was  all  exposed, 
houses  were  demolished,  and  many  people  slain. 
The  Moors  were  terrified  by  the  tumbling  ruins, 
and  the  tremendous  din.  The  alcayde  had  re- 
solved to  defend  the  place  until  the  last  extrem- 
ity ; he  beheld  it  a heap  of  rubbish  ; there  was 
no  prospect  of  aid  from  Granada ; his  people  had 
lost  all  spirit  to  fight,  and  were  vociferous  for  a 
surrender  ; with  a reluctant  heart,  he  capitulated. 
The  inhabitants  were  permitted  to  depart  with 
all  their  effects,  excepting  their  arms ; and  were 
escorted  in  safety  by  the  duke  del  Infantado  and 
the  count  de  Cabra,  to  the  bridge  of  Pinos,  with- 
in two  leagues  of  Granada. 

King  Ferdinand  gave  directions  to  repair  the 
fortifications  of  Illora,  and  to  place  it  in  a strong 
state  of  defense.  He  left,  as  alcayde  of  the 
town  and  fortress,  Gonsalvo  de  Cordova,  younger 


G ON  SALVO  DE  CORDOVA, 


283 


brother  of  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar.  This  gallant 
cavalier  was  captain  of  the  royal  guards  of  Fer- 
dinand and  Isabella,  and  gave  already  proofs  of 
that  prowess  which  afterwards  rendered  him  so 
renowned. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 


Of  the  Arrival  of  Queen  Isabella  at  the  Camp  before  Moclin 
and  of  the  Pleasant  Sayings  of  the  English  Earl. 


HE  war  of  Granada,  however  poets  may 
embroider  it  with  the  flowers  of  their 
fancy,  was  certainly  one  of  the  sternest 
of  those  iron  conflicts  which  have  been  celebrated 
under  the  name  of  holy  wars.  The  worthy  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida  dwells  with  unsated  delight 
upon  the  succession  of  rugged  mountain  enter- 
prises, bloody  battles,  and  merciless  sackings  and 
ravages,  which  characterized  it ; yet  we  find  him 
on  one  occasion  pausing  in  the  full  career  of  vic- 
tory over  the  infidels,  to  detail  a stately  pageant 
of  the  Catholic  sovereigns. 

Immediately  on  the  capture  of  Loxa,  Ferdi- 
nand had  written  to  Isabella,  soliciting  her  pres- 
ence at  the  camp,  that  he  might  consult  with  her 
as  to  the  disposition  of  their  newly-acquired  ter- 
ritories. 

It  was  in  the  early  part  of  June,  that  the 
queen  departed  from  Cordova,  with  the  princess 
Isabella  and  numerous  ladies  of  her  court.  She 
had  a glorious  attendance  of  cavaliers  and  pages, 
with  many  guards  and  domestics.  There  were 
forty  mules  for  the  use  of  the  queen,  the  prin- 
cess, and  their  train. 


STATELY  PROGRESS  OF  ISABELLA,  285 


As  this  courtly  cavalcade  approached  the  Rock 
of  the  Lovers,  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Yeguas 
they  beheld  a splendid  train  of  knights  advancing 
to  meet  them.  It  was  headed  by  that  accom- 
plished cavalier  the  marques  duke  de  Cadiz, 
accompanied  by  the  adelantado  of  Andalusia. 
He  had  left  the  camp  the  day  after  the  capture 
of  Illora,  and  advanced  thus  far  to  receive  the 
queen  and  escort  her  over  the  borders.  The 
queen  received  the  marques  with  distinguished 
honor ; for  he  was  esteemed  the  mirror  of 
chivalry.  His  actions  in  this  war  had  become 
the  theme  of  every  tongue,  and  many  hesitated 
not  to  compare  him  in  prowess  with  the  immortal 
Cid.l 

Thus  gallantly  attended,  the  queen  entered  the 
vanquished  frontier  of  Granada ; journeying  se- 
curely along  the  pleasant  banks  of  the  Xenel,  so 
lately  subject  to  the  scourings  of  the  Moors. 
She  stopped  at  Loxa,  where  she  administered  aid 
and  consolation  to  the  wounded,  distributing 
money  among  them  for  their  support,  according 
to  their  rank. 

The  king,  after  the  capture  of  Illora,  had  re- 
moved his  camp  before  the  fortress  of  Moclin, 
with  an  intention  of  besieging  it.  Thither  the 
queen  proceeded,  still  escorted  through  the  moun- 
tain roads  by  the  marques  of  Cadiz.  As  Isabella 
drew  near  to  the  camp,  the  duke  del  Infantado 
issued  forth  a league  and  a half  to  receive  her, 
magnificently  arrayed,  and  followed  by  all  his 
chivalry  in  glorious  attire.  With  him  came  the 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios, 


286 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


standard  of  Seville,  borne  by  the  men-at-arms  of 
that  renowned  city;  and  the  Prior  of  St.  Juan, 
with  his  followers.  They  ranged  themselves  in 
order  of  battle,  on  the  left  of  the  road  by  which 
the  queen  was  to  pass. 

The  worthy  Agapida  is  loyally  minute  in  his 
description  of  the  state  and  grandeur  of  the 
Catholic  sovereigns.  The  queen  rode  a chestnut 
mule,  seated  in  a magnificent  saddle-chair,  deco- 
rated with  silver  gilt.  The  housings  of  the  mule 

o o 

were  of  fine  crimson  cloth ; the  borders  embroid- 
ered with  gold  ; the  reins  and  head-piece  were 
of  satin,  curiously  embossed  with  needlework  of 
silk,  and  wrought  with  golden  letters.  The 
queen  wore  a brial  or  regal  skirt  of  velvet,  under 
which  were  others  of  brocade;  a scarlet  mantle, 
ornamented  in  the  Moresco  fashion  ; and  a black 
hat,  embroidered  round  the  crown  and  brim. 

The  infanta  was  likewise  mounted  on  a chest- 
nut mule,  richly  caparisoned : she  wore  a brial 
or  skirt  of  black  brocade,  and  a black  mantle  or- 
namented like  that  of  the  queen. 

When  the  royal  cavalcade  passed  by  the  chiv- 
alry of  the  duke  del  Infantado,  which  was  drawn 
out  in  battle  array,  the  queen  made  a reverence 
to  the  standard  of  Seville,  and  ordered  it  to  pass 
to  the  right  hand.  When  she  approached  the 
camp,  the  multitude  ran  forth  to  meet  her,  with 
great  demonstrations  of  joy ; for  she  was  univer- 
sally beloved  by  her  subjects.  All  the  battalions 
sallied  forth  in  military  array,  bearing  the  various 
standards  and  banners  of  the  camp,  which  were 
lowered  in  salutation  as  she  passed. 


THE  SOVEREIGNS  AND  THE  EARL.  287 


The  king  now  came  forth  in  royal  state, 
mounted  on  a superb  chestnut  horse,  and  at- 
tended by  many  grandees  of  Castile.  He  wore 
a jubon  or  close  vest  of  crimson  cloth,  with 
cuisses  or  short  skirts  of  yellow  satin,  a loose 
cassock  of  brocade,  a rich  Moorish  scimetar,  and 
a hat  with  plumes.  The  grandees  who  attended 
him  were  arrayed  with  wonderful  magnificence, 
each  according  to  his  taste  and  invention. 

These  high  and  mighty  princes  (says  Antonio 
Agapida)  regarded  each  other  with  great  defer- 
ence, as  allied  sovereigns,  rather  than  with  con- 
nubial familiarity,  as  mere  husband  and  wife. 
When  they  approached  each  other,  therefore,  be- 
fore embracing,  they  made  three  profound  rever- 
ences, the  queen  taking  off  her  hat,  and  remain- 
ing in  a silk  net  or  cawl,  with  her  face  uncovered. 
The  king  then  approached  and  embraced  her,  and 
kissed  her  respectfully  on  the  cheek.  He  also 
embraced  his  daughter  the  princess ; and,  making 
the  sign  of  the  cross,  he  blessed  her,  and  kissed 
her  on  the  lips.^ 

The  good  Agapida  seems  scarcely  to  have  been 
more  struck  with  the  appearance  of  the  sovereigns 
than  with  that  of  the  English  earl.  He  followed 
(says  he)  immediately  after  the  king,  with  great 
pomp,  and,  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  taking 
precedence  of  all  the  rest.  He  was  mounted  “ a 
la  guisa,'^  or  with  long  stirrups,  on  a superb 
chestnut  horse,  with  trappings  of  azure  silk  which 
reached  to  the  ground.  The  housings  were  of 
mulberry,  powdered  with  stars  of  gold.  He  was 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios. 


288 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


armed  in  proof,  and  wore  over  his  armor  a short 
French  mantle  of  black  brocade ; he  had  a white 
French  hat  with  plumes,  and  carried  on  his  left 
arm  a small  round  buckler,  banded  with  gold. 
Five  pages  attended  him,  appareled  in  silk  and 
brocade,  and  mounted  on  horses  sumptuously 
caparisoned ; he  had  also  a train  of  followers, 
bravely  attired  after  the  fashion  of  his  country. 

He  advanced  in  a chivalrous  and  courteous 
manner,  making  his  reverences  first  to  the  queen 
and  infanta,  and  afterwards  to  the  king.  Queen 
Isabella  received  him  graciously,  complimenting 
him  on  his  courageous  conduct  at  Loxa,  and  con- 
doling with  him  on  the  loss  of  his  teeth.  The 
earl,  however,  made  light  of  his  disfiguring  wound, 
saying  that  “our  blessed  Lord,  who  had  built  all 
that  house,  had  opened  a window  there,  that  he 
might  see  more  readily  what  passed  within ; ” ^ 
whereupon  the  worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  is 
more  than  ever  astonished  at  the  pregnant  wit  of 
this  island  cavalier.  The  earl  continued  some 
little  distance  by  the  side  of  the  royal  family, 
complimenting  them  all  with  courteous  speeches, 
his  horse  curveting  and  caracoling,  but  being 
managed  with  great  grace  and  dexterity ; leaving 
the  grandees  and  the  people  at  large  not  more 
filled  with  admiration  at  the  strangeness  and 
magnificence  of  his  state  than  at  the  excellence 
of  his  horsemanship.^ 

' To  testify  her  sense  of  the  gallantry  and  ser- 
vices of  this  noble  English  knight,  who  had  come 
from  so  far  to  assist  in  their  wars,  the  queen  sent 

1 Pietro  Martyr,  Epist.  61.  ^ Cura  de  los  Palacios, 


DEATH  OF  THE  ENGLISH  EARL  289 


him  the  next  day  presents  of  twelve  horses,  with 
stately  tents,  fine  linen,  two  beds  with  coverings 
of  gold  brocade,  and  many  other  articles  of  great 
value. 

Having  refreshed  himself,  as  it  were,  with  the 
description  of  this  progress  of  Queen  Isabella  to 
the  camp,  and  the  glorious  pomp  of  the  Catholic 
sovereigns,  the  worthy  Antonio  Aga,pida  returns 
with  renewed  relish  to  his  pious  work  of  discom- 
fiting the  Moors. 

The  description  of  this  royal  pageant,  and  the 
particulars  concerning  the  English  earl,  thus 
given  from  the  manuscript  of  Fray  Antonio  Aga- 
pida,  agree  precisely  with  the  chronicle  of  Andres 
Bernaldes,  the  curate  of  los  Palacios.  The  Eng- 
lish earl  makes  no  further  figure  in  this  war.  It 
appears  from  various  histories  that  he  returned  in 
the  course  of  the  year  to  England.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  his  passion  for  fighting  took  him  to 
the  Continent,  at  the  head  of  four  hundred  adven- 
turers, in  aid  of  Francis,  duke  of  Brittany,  against 
Louis  XL  of  France.  He  was  killed  in  the 
same  year  [1488]  in  the  battle  of  St.  Alban’s, 
between  the  Bretons  and  the  French. 


19 


<8^ 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  attacked  Moclin,  and  of  the  Strange 
Events  that  attended  its  Capture. 

HE  Catholic  sovereigns/^  says  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida,  “ had  by  this  time 
closely  clipped  the  right  wing  of  the 
Moorish  vulture.”  In  other  words,  most  of  the 
strong  fortresses  along  the  western  frontier  of 
Granada  had  fallen  beneath  the  Christian  artil- 
lery. The  army  now  lay  encamped  before  the 
town  of  Moclin,  on  the  frontier  of  Jaen,  one  of 
the  most  stubborn  fortresses  of  the  border.  It 
stood  on  a high,  rocky  hill,  the  base  of  which 
was  nearly  girdled  by  a river : a thick  forest  pro- 
tected the  back  part  of  the  town,  towards  the 
mountain.  Thus  strongly  situated,  it  domineered, 
with  its  frowning  battlements  and  massive  towers, 
all  the  mountain  passes  into  that  part  of  the 
country,  and  was  called  the  shield  of  Granada.” 
It  had  a double  arrear  of  blood  to  settle  with  the 
Christians;  two  hundred  years  before,  a master 
of  Santiago  and  all  his  cavaliers  had  been  lanced 
by  the  Moors  before  its  gates.  It  had  recently 
made  terrible  slaughter  among  the  troops  of  the 
good  count  de  Cabra,  in  his  precipitate  attempt 
to  entrap  the  old  Moorish  monarch.  The  pride 
of  Ferdinand  had  been  piqued  by  being  obliged 


FERDINAND'S  ATTACK  ON  MOCLIN.  291 


on  that  occasion  to  recede  from  his  plan,  and 
abandon  his  concerted  attack  on  the  place  ; he 
was  now  prepared  to  take  a full  revenge. 

El  Zagal,  the  old  warrior  king  of  Granada, 
anticipating  a second  attempt,  had  provided  the 
place  with  ample  ammunitions  and  provisions ; 
had  ordered  trenches  to  be  digged,  and  additional 
bulwarks  thrown  up  ; and  caused  all  the  old  men, 
the  women,  and  the  children  to  be  removed  to 
the  capital. 

Such  was  the  strength  of  the  fortress,  and  the 
difficulties  of  its  position,  that  Ferdinand  antici- 
pated much  trouble  in  reducing  it,  and  made  every 
preparation  for  a regular  siege.  In  the  centre  of 
his  camp  were  two  great  mounds,  one  of  sacks  of 
flour,  the  other  of  grain,  which  were  called  the 
royal  granary.  Three  batteries  of  heavy  ord- 
nance were  opened  against  the  citadel  and  princi- 
pal towers,  while  smaller  artillery,  engines  for  the 
discharge  of  missiles,  arquebuses,  and  cross-bows 
were  distributed  in  various  places,  to  keep  up  a 
fire  into  any  breaches  that  might  be  made,  and 
upon  those  of  the  garrison  who  should  appear  on 
the  battlements. 

The  lombards  soon  made  an  impression  on  the 
works,  demolishing  a part  of  the  wall,  and  tum- 
bling down  several  of  those  haughty  towers, 
which  from  their  height  had  been  impregnable 
before  the  invention  of  gunpowder.  The  Moors 
repaired  their  walls  as  well  as  they  were  able, 
and,  still  confiding  in  the  strength  of  their  situa- 
tion, kept  up  a resolute  defense,  firing  down  from 
their  lofty  battlements  and  towers  upon  tha 


292 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Christian  camp.  For  two  nights  and  a day  an 
incessant  fire  was  kept  up,  so  that  there  was  not 
a moment  in  which  the  roaring  of  ordnance  was 
not  heard,  or  some  damage  sustained  by  the 
Christians  or  the  Moors.  It  was  a conflict,  how- 
ever, more  of  engineers  and  artillerists  than  of 
gallant  cavaliers ; there  was  no  sally  of  troops, 
nor  shock  of  armed  men,  nor  rush  and  charge  of 
cavalry.  The  knights  stood  looking  on  with  idle 
weapons,  waiting  until  they  should  have  an  op- 
portunity of  signalizing  their  prowess  by  scaling 
the  walls  or  storming  the  breaches.  As  the 
place,  however,  was  assailable  only  in  one  part, 
there  was  every  prospect  of  a long  and  obstinate 
resistance. 

The  engineers,  as  usual,  discharged  not  merely 
balls  of  stone  and  iron,  to  demolish  the  walls,  but 
flaming  balls  of  inextinguishable  combustibles, 
designed  to  set  Are  to  the  houses.  One  of  these, 
which  passed  high  through  the  air  like  a meteor, 
sending  out  sparks  and  crackling  as  it  went, 
entered  the  window  of  a tower  which  was  used 
as  a magazine  of  gunpowder.  The  tower  blew 
up  with  a tremendous  explosion  ; the  Moors  who 
were  upon  its  battlements  were  hurled  into  the 
air,  and  fell  mangled  in  various  parts  of  the  town ; 
and  the  houses  in  its  vicinity  were  rent  and  over- 
thrown as  with  an  earthquake. 

The  Moors,  who  had  never  witnessed  an  ex- 
plosion of  the  kind,  ascribed  the  destruction  of 
the  tower  to  a miracle.  Some  who  had  seen  the 
descent  of  the  flaming  ball,  imagined  that  fire  had 
fallen  from  heaven  to  punish  them  for  their 


THE  CATHOLIC  ARMY  AT  MO  CLIN.  293 


pertinacity.  The  pious  Agapida,  himself,  believes 
that  this  fiery  missive  was  conducted  by  divine 
agency  to  confound  the  infidels  ; an  opinion  in 
which  he  is  supported  by  other  Catholic  his- 
torians.^ 

Seeing  heaven  and  earth  as  it  were  combined 
against  them,  the  Moors  lost  all  heart  : they 
capitulated,  and  were  permitted  to  depart  with 
their  effects,  leaving  behind  all  arms  and  munitions 
of  war. 

The  Catholic  army  (says  Antonio  Agapida) 
entered  Moclin  in  solemn  state,  not  as  a licen- 
tious host,  intent  upon  plunder  and  desolation, 
but  as  a band  of  Christian  warriors,  coming  to 
purify  and  regenerate  the  land.  The  standard  of 
the  cross,  that  ensign  of  this  holy  crusade,  was 
borne  in  the  advance,  followed  by  the  other  ban- 
ners of  the  army.  Then  came  the  king  and 
queen,  at  the  head  of  a vast  number  of  armed 
cavaliers.  They  were  accompanied  by  a band  of 
priests  and  friars,  with  the  choir  of  the  royal 
chapel,  chanting  the  canticle  “ Te  Deum  laiida- 
mmr  As  they  were  moving  through  the  streets 
in  this  solemn  manner,  every  sound  hushed  ex- 
cepting the  anthem  of  the  choir,  they  suddenly 
heard,  issuing  as  it  were  from  underground,  a 
chorus  of  voices  chanting  in  solemn  response, 

B(medictum  qui  venit  in  nomine  dominiP  ^ The 
procession  paused  in  wonder.  The  sounds  rose 
from  Christian  captives,  and  among  them  several 

1 Pulgar,  Garibay,  Lucio  Marino  Siculo,  Cosas  Memoral.  dt 
Hispan.  lib.  20. 

2 Marino  Siculo. 


294 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


priests  who  were  confined  in  subterraneous  dun- 
geons. 

The  heart  of  Isabella  was  greatly  touched. 
She  ordered  the  captives  to  be  drawn  forth  from 
their  cells,  and  was  still  more  moved  at  beholding, 
by  their  wan,  discolored,  and  emaciated  appear 
ance,  how  much  they  had  suffered.  Their  hair 
and  beards  were  overgrown  and  shagged  ; they 
were  wasted  by  hunger,  half  naked,  and  in  chains. 
She  ordered  that  they  should  be  clothed  and 
cherished,  and  money  furnished  them  to  bear 
them  to  their  homes.^ 

Several  of  the  captives  were  brave  cavaliers, 
who  had  been  wounded  and  made  prisoners,  in 
the  defeat  of  the  count  de  Cabra  by  El  Zagal,  in 
the  preceding  year.  There  were  also  found  other 
melancholy  traces  of  that  disastrous  affair.  On 
visiting  the  narrow  pass  where  the  defeat  had 
taken  place,  the  remains  of  several  Christian 
warriors  were  found  in  thickets,  or  hidden  behind 
rocks,  or  in  the  clefts  of  the  mountains.  These 
were  some  who  had  been  struck  from  their  horses, 
and  wounded  too  severely  to  fly.  They  had 
crawled  away  from  the  scene  of  action,  and  con- 
cealed themselves  to  avoid  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  and  had  thus  perished  miserably 
and  alone.  The  remains  of  those  of  note  were 
known  by  their  armor  and  devices,  and  were 
mourned  over  by  their  companions  who  had 
shared  the  disasters  of  that  day.^ 

The  queen  had  these  remains  piously  collected, 

1 Illecas,  Hist.  Pontif.  lib.  6,  c.  20,  § 1. 

2 Pulgar,  part  3,  cap.  61. 


PIOUS  MINISTRATIONS  OF  ISABELLA,  295 


as  the  relics  of  so  many  martyrs  who  had  fallen 
in  the  cause  of  the  faith.  They  were  interred 
with  great  solemnity  in  the  mosques  of  Moclin, 
which  had  been  purified  and  consecrated  to  Chris- 
tian worship.  ‘‘  There,”  says  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ rest  the  bones  of  those  truly  Catholic  knights, 
in  the  holy  ground  which  in  a manner  had  been 
sanctified  by  their  blood  ; and  all  pilgrims  passing 
through  those  mountains  offer  up  prayers  and 
masses  for  the  repose  of  their  souls.” 

The  queen  remained  for  some  time  at  Moclin, 
administering  comfort  to  the  wounded  and  the 
prisoners,  bringing  the  newly  acquired  territory 
into  order,  and  founding  churches  and  monas- 
teries and  other  pious  institutions.  “ While  the 
king  marched  in  front,  laying  waste  the  land  of 
the  Philistines,”  says  the  figurative  Antonio  Aga- 
pida, ‘‘  Queen  Isabella  followed  his  traces  as  the 
binder  follows  the  reaper,  gathering  and  garnering 
the  rich  harvest  that  has  fallen  beneath  his  sickle. 
In  this  she  was  greatly  assisted  by  the  counsels 
of  that  cloud  of  bishops,  friars,  and  other  saintly 
men,  which  continually  surrounded  her,  garnering 
the  first  fruits  of  this  infidel  laud  into  the  gra- 
naries of  the  church.”  Leaving  her  thus  piously 
employed,  the  king  pursued  his  career  of  con- 
quest, determined  to  lay  waste  the  vega,  and 
carry  fire  and  sword  to  the  very  gates  of  Gra- 
nada. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


How  King  Ferdinand  foraged  the  Vega;  and  of  the  Battle  of 
the  Bridge  of  Pinos,  and  the  Fate  of  the  two  Moorish 
Brothers. 

[|'^|ULEY  ABDALLAH  EL  ZAGAL  had 
been  under  a spell  of  ill  fortune,  ever 
since  the  suspicious  death  of  the  old  king 
his  brother.  Success  had  deserted  his  standard  ; 
and,  with  his  fickle  subjects,  want  of  success  was 
one  of  the  greatest  crimes  in  a sovereign.  He 
found  his  popularity  declining,  and  he  lost  all  con- 
fidence in  his  people.  The  Christian  army  marched 
in  open  defiance  through  his  territories  and  sat 
down  deliberately  before  his  fortresses  ; yet  he 
dared  not  lead  forth  his  legions  to  oppose  them, 
lest  the  inhabitants  of  the  Albaycin,  ever  ripe 
for  a revolt,  should  rise  and  shut  the  gates  of 
Granada  against  his  return. 

Every  few  days,  some  melancholy  train  entered 
the  metropolis,  the  inhabitants  of  some  captured 
town,  bearing  the  few  effects  spared  them,  and 
weeping  and  bewailing  the  desolation  of  their 
homes.  When  the  tidings  arrived  that  Illora 
and  Moclin  had  fallen,  the  people  were  seized 
with  consternation.  “ The  right  eye  of  Granada 
is  extinguished,”  exclaimed  they  ; “ the  shield  of 
Granada  is  broken  : what  shall  protect  us  from 
the  inroad  of  the  foe?”  When  the  survivors  of 


THE  HEROIC  MOORISH  BROTHERS.  297 


the  garrisons  of  those  towns  arrived,  with  down- 
cast looks,  bearing  the  marks  of  battle,  and  des- 
titute of  arms  and  standards,  the  populace  reviled 
them  in  their  wrath  ; but  they  answered,  We 
fought  as  long  as  we  had  force  to  fight,  or  walls 
to  shelter  us ; but  the  Christians  laid  our  town 
and  battlements  in  ruins,  and  we  looked  in  vain 
for  aid  from  Granada.” 

The  alcaydes  of  Illora  and  Moclin  were 
brothers  ; they  were  alike  in  prowess,  and  the 
bravest  among  the  Moorish  cavaliers.  They  had 
been  the  most  distinguished  in  those  tilts  and  tour- 
neys which  graced  the  happier  days  of  Granada, 
and  had  distinguished  themselves  in  the  sterner 
conflicts  of  the  field.  Acclamation  had  always 
followed  their  banners,  and  they  had  long  been 
the  delight  of  the  people.  Yet  now,  when  they 
returned  after  the  capture  of  their  fortresses,  they 
were  followed  by  the  unsteady  populace  with  ex- 
ecrations. The  hearts  of  the  alcaydes  swelled 
with  indignation ; they  found  the  ingratitude  of 
their  countrymen  still  more  intolerable  than  the 
hostility  of  the  Christians. 

Tidings  came,  that  the  enemy  was  advancing 
with  his  triumphant  legions,  to  lay  waste  the 
country  about  Granada.  Still  El  Zagal  did  not 
dare  to  take  the  field.  The  two  alcaydes  of  Il- 
lora and  Moclin  stood  before  him  : “ We  have 
defended  your  fortresses,”  said  they,  “ until  we 
were  almost  buried  under  their  ruins,  and  for 
our  reward  we  receive  scofiings  and  revilings  ; 
give  us,  0 king,  an  opportunity  where  knightly 
valor  may  signalize  itself,  not  shut  up  behind 


298 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA. 


stone  walls,  but  in  the  open  conflict  of  the  field. 
The  enemy  approaches  to  lay  our  country  deso- 
late ; give  us  men  to  meet  him  in  the  advance, 
and  let  shame  light  upon  our  heads  if  we  be 
found  wantino:  in  the  battle  ! ” 

The  two  brothers  were  sent  forth,  with  a large 
force  of  horse  and  foot ; El  Zagal  intended, 
should  they  be  successful,  to  issue  forth  with  his 
whole  force,  and  by  a decisive  victory,  repair  the 
losses  he  had  suffered.  When  the  people  saw 
the  well-known  standards  of  the  brothers  going 
forth  to  battle,  there  was  a feeble  shout ; but 
the  alcaydes  passed  on  with  stern  countenances, 
for  they  knew  the  same  voices  would  curse  them 
were  they  to  return  unfortunate.  They  cast  a 
farewell  look  at  fair  Granada,  and  upon  the  beau- 
tiful fields  of  their  infancy,  as  if  for  these  they 
were  willing  to  lay  down  their  lives,  but  not  for 
an  ungrateful  people. 

The  army  of  Ferdinand  had  arrived  within 
two  leagues  of  Granada,  at  the  Bridge  of  Pinos, 
a pass  famous  in  the  wars  of  the  Moors  and 
Christians  for  many  a bloody  conflict.  It  was 
the  pass  by  which  the  Castilian  monarchs  gen- 
erally made  their  inroads,  and  was  capable  of 
great  defense,  from  the  ruggedness  of  the  country 
and  the  difficulty  of  the  bridge.  The  king,  with 
the  main  body  of  the  army,  had  attained  the 
brow  of  a hill,  when  they  beheld  the  advance 
guard,  under  the  marques  of  Cadiz  and  the  mas- 
ter of  Santiago,  furiously  attacked  by  the  enemy, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  bridge.  The  Moors  rushed 
to  the  assault  with  their  usual  shouts,  but  with 


FATE  OF  THE  TWO  BROTHERS.  299 


more  than  usual  ferocity.  There  was  a hard 
struggle  at  the  bridge  ; both  parties  knew  the 
importance  of  that  pass. 

The  king  particularly  noted  the  prowess  of 
two  Moorish  cavaliers,  alike  in  arms  and  de- 
vices, and  whom  by  their  bearing  and  attendance 
he  perceived  to  be  commanders  of  the  enemy. 
They  were  the  two  brothers,  the  alcaydes  of  II- 
lora  and  Moclin.  Wherever  they  turned,  they 
carried  confusion  and  death  into  the  ranks  of  the 
Christians ; but  they  fought  with  desperation, 
rather  than  valor.  The  count  de  Cabra,  and  his 
brother  Don  Martin  de  Cordova,  pressed  forward 
with  eagerness  against  them ; but  having  ad- 
vanced too  precipitately,  were  surrounded  by 
the  foe*  and  in  imminent  danger.  A young 
Christian  knight,  seeing  their  peril,  hastened  with 
his  followers  to  their  relief.  The  king  recog- 
nized him  for  Don  Juan  de  Arragon,  count  of 
Ribargoza,  his  own  nephew  ; for  he  was  illegiti- 
mate son  of  the  duke  of  Villahermosa,  illegiti- 
mate brother  of  King  Ferdinand.  The  splendid 
armor  of  Don  Juan,  and  the  sumptuous  capar- 
ison of  his  steed,  rendered  him  a brilliant  object 
of  attack.  He  was  assailed  on  all  sides,  and  his 
superb  steed  slain  under  him  ; yet  still  he  fought 
valiantly,  bearing  for  a time  the  brunt  of  the 
fight,  and  giving  the  exhausted  forces  of  the 
count  de  Cabra  time  to  recover  breath. 

Seeing  the  peril  of  these  troops  and  the  gen- 
eral obstinacy  of  the  fight,  the  king  ordered  the 
royal  standard  to  be  advanced  and  hastened,  with 
all  his  forces,  to  the  relief  of  the  count  de  Cabra. 


800 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


At  his  approach,  the  enemy  gave  way,  and  re- 
treated towards  the  bridge.  The  two  Moorish 
commanders  endeavored  to  rally  their  troops,  and 
animate  them  to  defend  this  pass  to  the  utmost : 
they  used  prayers,  remonstrances,  menaces  — but 
almost  in  vain.  They  could  only  collect  a scanty 
handful  of  cavaliers ; with  these  they  planted  them- 
selves at  the  head  of  the  bridge,  and  disputed  it 
inch  by  inch.  The  fight  was  hot  and  obstinate, 
for  but  few  could  contend  hand  to  hand,  yet  many 
discharged  cross-bows  and  arquebuses  from  the 
banks.  The  river  was  covered  with  the  floating 
bodies  of  the  slain.  The  Moorish  band  of  cavaliers 
was  almost  entirely  cut  to  pieces ; the  two  brothers 
fell,  covered  with  wounds,  upon  the  bridge  they 
had  so  resolutely  defended.  They  had  given  up 
the  battle  for  lost,  but  had  determined  not  to  re- 
turn alive  to  ungrateful  Granada. 

When  the  people  of  the  capital  heard  how  de- 
votedly they  had  fallen,  they  lamented  greatly 
their  deaths,  and  extolled  their  memory  : a col- 
umn was  erected  to  their  honor  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  bridge,  which  long  went  by  the  name  of  the 
Tomb  of  the  Brothers.” 

The  army  of  Ferdinand  now  marched  on,  and 
established  its  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Granada. 
The  worthy  Agapida  gives  many  triumphant  de- 
tails of  the  ravages  committed  in  the  vega,  which 
was  again  laid  waste  ; the  grain,  fruits,  and  other 
productions  of  the  earth,  destroyed  — and  that 
earthly  paradise  rendered  a dreary  desert.  He 
narrates  several  fierce  but  ineffectual  sallies 'and 
skirmishes  of  the  Moors,  in  defense  of  their  fa- 


MOORISH  STRATAGEM. 


301 


vorite  plain  ; among  which,  one  deserves  to  be 
mentioned,  as  it  records  the  achievements  of  one 
of  the  saintly  heroes  of  this  war. 

Durins:  one  of  the  movements  of  the  Christian 
army,  near  the  walls  of  Granada,  a battalion  of 
fifteen  hundred  cavalry,  and  a large  force  of  foot, 
had  sallied  from  the  city,  and  posted  themselves 
near  some  gardens,  which  were  surrounded  by  a 
canal,  and  traversed  by  ditches,  for  the  purpose 
of  irrigation. 

The  Moors  beheld  the  duhe  del  Infantado  pass 
by,  with  his  two  splendid  battalions  ; one  of  men- 
at-arms,  the  other  of  light  cavalry,  armed  d la 
gineta.  In  company  with  him,  but  following  as  a 
rear-guard,  was  Don  Garcia  Osorio,  the  bellige- 
rent bishop  of  Jaen,  attended  by  Francisco  Bo- 
vadillo,  the  corregidor  of  his  city,  and  followed 
by  two  squadrons  of  men-at-arms,  from  Jaen,  An- 
duxar,  Ubeda,  and  Baeza.^  The  success  of  last 
year’s  campaign  had  given  the  good  bishop  an  in- 
clination for  warlike  affairs,  and  he  had  once 
more  buckled  on  his  cuirass. 

The  Moors  were  much  given  to  stratagem  in 
warfare.  They  looked  wistfully  at  the  magnifi- 
cent squadrons  of  the  duke  del  Infantado  ; but 
their  martial  discipline  precluded  all  attack  : the 
good  bishop  promised  to  be  a more  easy  prey. 
Suffering  the  duke  and  his  troops  to  pass  unmo- 
lested, they  approached  the  squadrons  of  the 
bishop,  and,  making  a pretended  attack,  skir- 
mished slightly,  and  fled  in  apparent  confusion. 
The  bishop  considered  the  day  his  own,  and, 
1 Pulgar,  part  3,  cap.  62. 


302 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


seconded  by  his  corregidor  Bovadillo,  followed  with 
valorous  precipitation.  The  Moors  fled  into  the 
Huerta  del  Rey^  or  orchard  of  the  king ; the 
troops  of  the  bishop  followed  hotly  after  them. 

When  the  Moors  perceived  their  pursuers  fairly 
embarrassed  among  the  intricacies  of  the  garden, 
# they  turned  fiercely  upon  them,  while  some  of 
their  number  threw  open  the  sluices  of  the  Xenel. 
In  an  instant,  the  canal  which  encircled  and  the 
ditches  which  traversed  the  garden,  were  filled 
with  water,  and  the  valiant  bishop  and  his  follow- 
ers found  themselves  overwhelmed  by  a deluge.^ 
A scene  of  great  confusion  succeeded.  Some  of 
the  men  of  Jaen,  stoutest  of  heart  and  hand, 
fought  with  the  Moors  in  the  garden,  while  others 
struggled  with  the  water,  endeavoring  to  escape 
across  the  canal,  in  which  attempt  many  horses 
were  drowned. 

Fortunately,  the  duke  del  Infantado  perceived 
the  snare  into  which  his  companions  had  fallen, 
and  dispatched  his  light  cavalry  to  their  assist- 
ance. The  Moors  were  compelled  to  flight,  and 
driven  along  the  road  of  Elvira  up  to  the  gates 
of  Granada.^  Several  Christian  cavaliers  per- 
ished in  this  affray  ; the  bishop  himself  escaped 
with  difficulty,  having  slipped  from  his  saddle  in 
crossing  the  canal,  but  saving  himself  by  holding 
on  to  the  tail  of  his  charger.  This  perilous 
achievement  seems  to  have  satisfied  the  good 
bishop’s  belligerent  propensities.  He  retired  on 
his  laurels,  (says  Agapida,)  to  his  city  of  Jaen  ; 
where,  in  the  fruition  of  all  good  things,  he  grad- 
1 Tulgar. 


THE  SOVEREIGNS  RETURN  TO  CORDOVA.  303 


ually  waxed  too  corpulent  for  his  corselet,  which 
was  hung  up  in  the  hall  of  his  episcopal  palace  ; 
and  we  hear  no  more  of  his  military  deeds, 
throughout  the  residue  of  the  holy  war  of  Gra- 
nada.^ 

King  Ferdinand  having  completed  his  ravage 
of  the  vega,  and  kept  El  Zagal  shut  up  in  his 
capital,  conducted  his  army  back  through  the  pass 
of  Lope  to  rejoin  Queen  Isabella  at  Moclin.  The 
fortresses  lately  taken  being  well  garrisoned  and 
supplied,  he  gave  the  command  of  the  frontier  to 
his  cousin,  Don  Fadrique  de  Toledo,  afterwards 
so  famous  in  the  Netherlands  as  the  duke  of 
Alva.  The  campaign  being  thus  completely 
crowned  with  success,  the  sovereigns  returned  in 
triumph  to  the  city  of  Cordova. 

1 “ Don  Luis  Osorio  fue  obispo  de  Jaen  desde  el  ano  de 
1483,  y presidio  in  esta  Iglesia  hasta  el  de  1496  in  que  murio 
en  Flandes,  a donde  fue  acompanando  a la  princesa  Dona 
Juana,  esposa  del  archiduque  Don  Felipe.” — Espana  Sagrada^ 
por  Fr  Risco.  tom.  41,  trat.  77,  cap.  4. 


CHAPTER  XLY. 

Attempt  of  El  Zagal  upon  the  Life  of  Boabdil,  and  how  the 
Latter  was  roused  to  Action. 


sooner  did  the  last  squadron  of  Chris- 
an  cavalry  disappear  behind  the  moun- 
dns  of  Elvira,  and  the  note  of  its 
trumpets  die  away  upon  the  ear,  than  the  long- 
suppressed  wrath  of  Muley  El  Zagal  burst  forth. 
He  determined  no  longer  to  be  half  a king,  reign- 
ing over  a divided  kingdom,  in  a divided  capital ; 
but  to  exterminate,  by  any  means,  fair  or  foul, 
his  nephew  Boabdil  and  his  faction.  He  turned 
furiously  upon  those  whose  factious  conduct  had 
deterred  him  from  sallying  upon  the  foe  ; some 
he  punished  by  confiscations,  others  by  banish- 
ment, others  by  death.  Once  undisputed  monarch 
of  the  entire  kingdom,  he  trusted  to  his  military 
skill  to  retrieve  his  fortunes,  and  drive  the  Chris- 
tians over  the  frontier. 

Boabdil,  however,  had  again  retired  to  Yelez 
el  Blanco,  on  the  confines  of  Murcia,  where  he 
could  avail  himself,  in  case  of  emergency,  of  any 
assistance  or  protection  afforded  him  by  the  policy 
of  Ferdinand.  His  defeat  had  blighted  his 
reviving  fortunes,  for  the  people  considered  him 
as  inevitably  doomed  to  misfortune.  Still,  while 
he  lived,  El  Zagal  knew  he  would  be  a rallying 


EL  Z AG  ADS  ATTEMPT  ON  BOABDIL.  305 


point  for  faction,  and  liable  at  any  moment  to 
be  elevated  into  power  by  the  capricious  multi- 
tude. He  had  recourse,  therefore,  to  the  most 
perfidious  means,  to  compass  his  destruction.  He 
sent  ambassadors  to  him,  representing  the  neces- 
sity of  concord  for  the  salvation  of  the  kingdom, 
and  even  offering  to  resign  the  title  of  king,  and 
to  become  subject  to  his  sway,  on  receiving  some 
estate  on  which  he  could  live  in  tranquil  retire- 
ment. But  while  the  ambassadors  bore  these 
words  of  peace,  they  were  furnished  with  poi- 
soned herbs,  which  they  were  to  administer  secretly 
to  Boabdil ; and  if  they  failed  in  this  attempt, 
they  had  pledged  themselves  to  dispatch  him 
openly,  while  engaged  in  conversation.  They 
were  instigated  to  this  treason  by  promises  of 
great  reward,  and  by  assurances  from  the  alfaquis 
that  Boabdil  was  an  apostate,  whose  death  would 
be  acceptable  to  Heaven, 

The  young  monarch  was  secretly  apprised  of 
the  concerted  treason,  and  refused  an  audience  to 
the  ambassadors.  He  denounced  his  uncle  as  the 
murderer  of  his  father  and  his  kindred,  and  the 
usurper  of  his  throne ; and  vowed  never  to  relent 
in  hostility  to  him,  until  he  should  place  his  head 
on  the  walls  of  the  Alhambra. 

Open  war  again  broke  out  between  the  two 
monarchs,  though  feebly  carried  on,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  mutual  embarrassments.  Ferdi- 
nand again  extended  his  assistance  to  Boabdil, 
ordering  the  commanders  of  his  fortresses  to  aid 
him  in  all  enterprises  against  his  uncle,  and 
against  such  places  as  refused  to  acknowledge 
20 


306 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


him  as  king  ; and  Don  Juan  de  Bonavides,  who 
commanded  in  Lorca,  even  made  inroads  in  his 
name,  into  the  territories  of  Almeria,  Baza,  and 
Guadix,  which  owned  allegiance  to  El  Zagal. 

The  unfortunate  Boabdil  had  three  great  evils 
to  contend  with  — the  inconstancy  of  his  subjects, 
the  hostility  of  his  uncle,  and  the  friendship  of 
Ferdinand.  The  last  was  by  far  the  most  bane- 
ful ; his  fortunes  withered  under  it.  He  was 
looked  upon  as  the  enemy  of  his  faith  and  of  his 
country.  The  cities  shut  their  gates  against 
him ; the  people  cursed  him  ; even  the  scanty 
band  of  cavaliers,  who  had  hitherto  followed  his 
ill-starred  banner,  began  to  desert  him  ; for  he 
had  not  wherewithal  to  reward,  nor  even  to  sup- 
port them.  His  spirits  sank  with  his  fortune, 
and  he  feared  that  in  a little  time  he  should  not 
have  a spot  of  earth  whereon  to  plant  his  stan- 
dard, nor  an  adherent  to  rally  under  it. 

In  the  midst  of  his  despondency,  he  received 
a message  from  his  lion-hearted  mother,  the  sul- 
tana Ayxa  la  Horra.  It  was  brought  by  the 
steadfast  adherent  to  their  fortunes,  Aben  Co- 
mixa.  “ For  shame,”  said  she,  to  linger  tim- 
orously about  the  borders  of  your  kingdom,  when 
a usurper  is  seated  in  your  capital.  Why  look 
abroad  for  perfidious  aid,  when  you  have  loyal 
hearts  beating  true  to  you  in  Granada  ? The 
Albaycin  is  ready  to  throw  open  its  gates  to  re- 
ceive you.  Strike  home  vigorously — a sudden 
blow  may  mend  all,  or  make  an  end,  A throne 
ora  grave!— for  a king  there  is  no  honorable 
medium.” 


EFFECT  OF  THE  SULTANA'S  APPEAL.  307 


Boabdil  was  of  an  undecided  character,  but 
there  are  circumstances  which  bring  the  most 
wavering  to  a decision,  and  when  once  resolved 
they  are  apt  to  act  with  a daring  impulse,  un- 
known to  steadier  judgments.^  The  message  of 
the  sultana  roused  him  from  a dream.  Granada, 
beautiful  Granada,  with  its  stately  Alhambra,  its 
delicious  gardens,  its  gushing  and  limpid  fountains 
sparkling  among  groves  of  orange,  citron,  and 
myrtle,  rose  before  him.  What  have  I done,” 
exclaimed  he,  “ that  I should  be  an  exile  from 
this  paradise  of  my  forefathers  — a wanderer  and 
fugitive  in  my  own  kingdom,  while  a murderous 
usurper  sits  proudly  upon  my  throne  ? Surely 
Allah  will  befriend  the  righteous  cause ; one  blow, 
and  all  may  be  my  own.” 

He  summoned  his  scanty  band  of  cavaliers. 

Who  is  ready  to  follow  his  monarch  unto  the 
death  ? ” said  he  : and  every  one  laid  his  hand 
upon  his  scimetar.  “Enough!”  said  he;  “let 
each  man  arm  himself  and  prepare  his  steed  in 
secret,  for  an  enterprise  of  toil  and  peril : if  we 
succeed,  our  reward  is  empire.” 


CHAPTER  XLVL 

How  Boabdil  returned  secretly  to  Granada,  and  how  he  was 
received.  — Second  Embassy  of  Don  Juan  de  Vera,  and  his 
Perils  in  the  Alhambra. 

the  hand  of  God/’  exclaims  an  old 
chronicler,  ‘‘  is  the  destiny  of 
princes ; he  alone  giveth  empire.  A 
Moorish  horseman,  mounted  on  a fleet  Arabian 
steed,  was  one  day  traversing  the  mountains 
which  extend  between  Granada  and  the  frontier 
of  Murcia.  He  galloped  swiftly  through  the 
valleys,  but  paused  and  looked  out  cautiously 
from  the  summit  of  every  height.  A squadron 
of  cavaliers  followed  warily  at  a distance.  There 
were  fifty  lances.  The  richness  of  their^  armor 
and  attire  showed  them  to  be  warriors  of  noble 
rank,  and  their  leader  had  a lofty  and  prince-like 
demeanor.”  The  squadron  thus  described  by  the 
Arabian  chronicler,  was  the  Moorish  king  Boab- 
dil and  his  devoted  followers. 

For  two  nights  and  a day  they  pursued  their 
adventurous  journey,  avoiding  all  popular  parts 
of  the  country,  and  choosing  the  most  solitary 
passes  of  the  mountains.  They  suffered  severe 
hardships  and  fatigues,  but  suffered  without  a 
murmur  : they  were  accustomed  to  rugged  cam- 
paigning, and  their  steeds  were  of  generous  and 


BOABDWS  SECRET  RETURN. 


309 


unyielding  spirit.  It  was  midnight,  and  all  was 
dark  and  silent  as  they  descended  from  the  moun- 
tains, and  approached  the  city,  of  Granada.  They 
passed  along  quietly  under  the  shadow  of  its 
walls  until  they  arrived  near  the  gate  of  the  Al- 
baycin.  Here  Boabdil  ordered  his  followers  to 
halt,  and  remain  concealed.  Taking  but  four  or 
five  with  him,  he  advanced  resolutely  to  the  gate 
and  knocked  with  the  hilt  of  his  scimetar.  The 
guards  demanded  who  sought  to  enter  at  that  un- 
seasonable  hour.  “ Your  king  ! exclaimed  Bo- 
abdil, “ open  the  gate  and  admit  him ! ’’ 

The  guards  held  forth  a light,  and  recognized 
the  person  of  the  youthful  monarch.  They  were 
struck  with  sudden  awe,  and  threw  open  the 
gates  ; and  Boabdil  and  his  followers  entered  un- 
molested. They  galloped  to  the  dwellings  of  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  the  Albaycin,  thundering 
at  their  portals,  and  summoning  them  to  rise  and 
take  arms  for  their  rightful  sovereign.  The  sum- 
mons was  instantly  obeyed : trumpets  resoun- 
ded throughout  the  streets  ; the  gleam  of  torches 
and  the  flash  of  arms  showed  the  Moors  hurry- 
ing to  their  gathering-places ; by  daybreak,  the 
whole  force  of  the  Albcaycin  was  rallied  under  the 
standard  of  Boabdil,  and  Aben  Comixa  was  made 
alcayde  of  the  fortress.  Such  was  the  success 
of  this  sudden  and  desperate  act  of  the  young 
monarch  ; for  we  are  assured  by  contemporary 
historians,  that  there  had  been  no  previous  con- 
cert or  arrangement.  “ As  the  guards  opened 
the  gates  of  the  city  to  admit  him,”  observes  a 


310 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


pious  chronicler,  “ so  God  opened  the  hearts  of 
the  Moors  to  receive  him  as  their  king.”  ^ 

In  the  morning  early,  the  tidings  of  this  event 
roused  El  Zagal  from  his  slumbers  in  the  Alham- 
bra. The  fiery  old  warrior  assembled  his  guard 
in  haste,  and  made  his  way  sword  in  hand  to  the 
Albaycin,  hoping  to  come  upon  his  nephew  by 
surprise.  He  was  vigorously  met  by  Boabdil 
and  his  adherents,  and  driven  back  into  the  quar- 
ter of  the  Alhambra.  An  encounter  took  place 
between  the  two  kings,  in  the  square  before  the 
principal  mosque  ; here  they  fought  hand  to  hand 
with  implacable  fury,  as  though  it  had  been 
agreed  to  decide  their  competition  for  the  crown 
by  single  combat.  In  the  tumult  of  this  chance- 
medley  affray,  however,  they  were  separated,  and 
the  party  of  El  Zagal  was  ultimately  driven  from 
the  square. 

The  battle  raged  for  some  time  in  the  streets 
and  places  of  the  city,  but  finding  their  powers 
of  mischief  cramped  within  such  narrow  limits, 
both  parties  sallied  forth  into  the  fields,  and 
fought  beneath  the  walls  until  evening.  Many 
fell  on  both  sides,  and  at  night  each  party  with- 
drew into  its  quarter,  until  the  morning  gave 
them  light  to  renew  the  unnatural  conflict.  For 
several  days,  the  two  grand  divisions  of  the  city 
remained  like  hostile  powers  arrayed  against 
each  other.  The  party  of  the  Alhambra  was 
more  numerous  than  that  of  the  Albaycin,  and 
contained  most  of  the  nobility  and  chivalry ; but 
the  adherents  of  Boabdil  were  men  hardened  and 
1 Pulgar. 


CHRISTIAN  AID  TO  BOABDIL. 


311 


Btrengthened  by  labor,  and  habitually  skilled  in 
the  exercise  of  arms. 

The  Albaycin  underwent  a kind  of  siege  by 
the  forces  of  El  Zagal ; they  effected  breaches  in 
the  walls,  and  made  repeated  attempts  to  carry  it 
sword  in  hand,  but  were  as  often  repulsed.  The 
troops  of  Boabdil,  on  the  other  hand,  made  fre- 
quent sallies  ; and  in  the  conflicts  which  took 
place,  the  hatred  of  the  combatants  arose  to  such 
a pitch  of  fury,  that  no  quarter  was  given  on 
either  side. 

Boabdil  perceived  the  inferiority  of  his  force ; 
he  dreaded  also  that  his  adherents,  being  for  the 
most  part  tradesmen  and  artisans,  would  become 
impatient  of  this  interruption  of  their  gainful  oc- 
cupations, and  disheartened  by  these  continual 
scenes  of  carnage.  He  sent  missives,  therefore, 
in  all  haste,  to  Don  Fadrique  de  Toledo,  who 
commanded  the  Christian  forces  on  the  frontier, 
entreating  his  assistance. 

Don  Fadrique  had  received  instructions  from 
the  politic  Ferdinand,  to  aid  the  youthful  mon- 
arch in  all  his  contests  with  his  uncle.  He  ad- 
vanced with  a body  of  troops  near  to  Granada, 
The  moment  Boabdil  discerned,  from  the  towers 
of  the  Albaycin,  the  Christian  banners  and  lances 
winding  round  the  base  of  the  mountain  of 
Elvira,  he  sallied  forth  to  meet  them,  escorted  by 
a squadron  of  Abencerrages  under  Aben  Cornixa. 
El  Zagal,  who  was  equally  on  the  alert,  and  ap- 
prised that  the  Christian  troops  came  in  aid  of 
his  nephew,  likewise  sallied  forth  and  drew  up 
his  troops  in  battle  array.  Don  Fadrique,  wary 


812 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


lest  some  treachery  should  be  intended,  halted 
among  some  plantations  of  olives,  retained  Boab- 
dil  by  his  side,  and  signified  his  wish  that  Aben 
Comixa  would  advance  with  his  squadron  and 
offer  battle  to  the  old  king.  The  provocation 
was  given,  but  El  Zagal  maintained  his  position. 
He  threw  out  some  light  parties,  however,  which 
skirmished  with  the  Abencerrages  of  Aben  Com- 
ixa, after  which  he  caused  his  trumpets  to  sound 
a recall,  and  retired  into  the  city  ; mortified,  it  is 
said,  that  the  Christian  cavaliers  should  witness 
these  fratricidal  discords  between  true  believers. 

Don  Fadrique,  still  distrustful,  drew  off  to  a 
distance,  and  encamped  for  the  night  near  the 
bridge  of  Cabillas. 

Early  in  the  morning,  a Moorish  cavalier  with 
an  escort  approached  the  advance  guard,  and  his 
trumpets  sounded  a parley.  He  craved  an  au- 
dience, as  an  envoy  from  El  Zagal,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  tent  of  Don.  Fadrique.  El  Zagal 
had  learnt  that  the  Christian  troops  had  come  to 
aid  his  nephew,  and  now  offered  to  enter  into  an 
alliance  with  them  on  terms  still  more  advan- 
tageous than  those  of  Boabdil.  The  wary  Don 
Fadrique  listened  to  the  Moor  with  apparent 
complacency,  but  determined  to  send  one  of  his 
most  intrepid  and  discreet  cavaliers,  under  the 
protection  of  a flag,  to  hold  a conference  with 
the  old  king  within  the  very  walls  of  the  Alham- 
bra. The  officer  chosen  for  this  important  mis- 
sion was  Don  Juan  de  Vera,  the  same  stanch 
and  devout  cavalier,  who  in  times  preceding  the 
war  had  borne  the  message  from  the  Castilian 


SECOND  EMBASSY  OF  DE  VERA.  813 


Bovereigns,  to  old  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  demand- 
ing arrears  of  tribute.  Don  Juan  was  received 
with  great  ceremony  by  the  king.  No  records 
remain  of  his  diplomatic  negotiations,  but  they 
extended  into  the  night,  and  it  being  too  late  to 
return  to  camp,  he  was  sumptuously  lodged  in  an 
apartment  of  the  Alhambra.  In  the  morning, 
one  of  the  courtiers  about  the  palace,  somewhat 
given  to  jest  and  raillery,  invited  Don  Juan  to  a 
ceremony  which  some  of  the  alfaquis  were  about 
to  celebrate  in  the  mosque  of  the  palace.  The 
religious  punctilio  of  this  most  discreet  cavalier 
immediately  took  umbrage  at  what  he  conceived 
a banter.  “ The  servants  of  Queen  Isabella  of 
Castile,”  replied  he  stithy  and  sternly,  “ who  bear 
on  their  armor  the  cross  of  St.  Jago,  never  enter 
the  temples  of  Mahomet,  but  to  level  them  to 
the  earth,  and  trample  on  them.” 

The  Moslem  courtier  retired  somewhat  dis- 
concerted by  this  Catholic,  but  not  very  courteous 
reply,  and  reported  it  to  a renegado  of  Antiquera. 
The  latter,  eager,  like  all  renegadoes,  to  show 
devotion  to  his  newly  adopted  creed,  volunteered 
to  return  with  the  courtier  and  have  a tilt  of 
words  with  the  testy  diplomatist.  They  found 
Don  Juan  playing  a game  of  chess  with  the  al- 
cayde  of  the  Alhambra,  and  took  occasion  to  in- 
dulge in  sportive  comments  on  some  of  the  mys- 
teries of  the  Christian  religion.  The  ire  of  this 
devout  knight  and  discreet  ambassador  began  to 
kindle ; but  he  restrained  it  within  the  limits  of 
lofty  gravity.  “ You  would  do  well,”  said  he, 
to  cease  talking  about  what  you  do  not  under 


314 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


stand.’’  This  only  provoked  light  attacks  of  the 
witlings ; until  one  of  them  dared  to  make  some 
degrading  and  obscene  comparison  between  the 
Blessed  Virgin  and  Amina,  the  mother  of  Ma- 
homet. In  an  instant  Don  Juan  sprang  to  his 
feet,  dashed  chess-board  and  chess-men  aside,  and 
drawing  his  sword,  dealt,  says  the  curate  of  los 
Palacios,  such  o,  fermosa  cachillada  (such  a hand- 
some slash)  across  the  head  of  the  blaspheming 
Moor,  as  felled  him  to  the  earth.  The  renegado, 
seeing  his  comrade  fall,  fled  for  his  life,  making 
the  halls  and  galleries  ring  with  his  outcries. 
Guards,  pages,  and  attendants  rushed  in,  but  Don 
Juan  kept  them  at  bay,  until  the  appearance  of 
the  king  restored  order.  On  inquiring  into  the 
cause  of  the  affray,  he  acted  with  proper  discrim- 
ination. Don  Juan  was  held  sacred  as  an  am- 
bassador, and  the  renegado  was  severely  punished 
for  having  compromised  the  hospitality  of  the 
royal  palace. 

The  tumult  in  the  Alhambra,  however,  soon 
caused  a more  dangerous  tumult  in  the  city.  It 
was  rumored  that  Christians  had  been  introduced 
into  the  palace  with  some  treasonable  design. 
The  populace  caught  up  arms,  and  ascended  in 
throngs  to  the  gate  of  Justice,  demanding  the 
death  of  all  Christian  spies  and  those  who  had 
introduced  them.  This  was  no  time  to  reason 
with  an  infuriate  mob,  when  the  noise  of  their 
clamors  might  bring  the  garrison  of  the  Albaycin 
to  back  them.  Nothing  was  left  for  El  Zagal  but 
to  furnish  Don  Juan  with  a disguise,  a swift 
horse,  and  an  escort,  and  to  let  him  out  of  the 


RETURN  OF  DE  VERA. 


315 


Alhambra  by  a private  gate.  It  was  a sore  griev- 
ance to  the  stately  cavalier  to  have  to  submit  to 
these  expedients,  but  there  was  no  alternative. 
In  Moorish  disguise  he  passed  through  crowds 
that  were  clamoring  for  his  head  ; and  once  out 
of  the  gate  of  the  city,  gave  reins  to  his  horse, 
nor  ceased  spurring  until  he  found  himself  safe 
under  the  banners  of  Don  Fadrique. 

Thus  ended  the  second  embassy  of  Don  Juan 
de  Vera,  less  stately,  but  more  perilous  than  the 
first.  Don  Fadrique  extolled  his  prowess,  what- 
ever he  may  have  thought  of  his  discretion ; and 
rewarded  him  with  a superb  horse,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  wrote  a letter  to  El  Zagal,  thanking 
him  for  the  courtesy  and  protection  he  had  ob' 
served  to  his  ambassador.  Queen  Isabella  also 
was  particularly  delighted  with  the  piety  of  Don 
Juan,  and  his  promptness  in  vindicating  the  im- 
maculate character  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and, 
beside  conferring  on  him  various  honorable  dis- 
tinctions, made  him  a royal  present  of  three  hun- 
hundred  thousand  maravadils.^ 

The  report  brought  by  this  cavalier  of  affairs 
in  Granada,  together  with  the  preceding  skir- 
mishings between  the  Moorish  factions  before  the 
walls,  convinced  Don  Fadrique  that  there  was 
no  collusion  between  the  monarchs  ; on  returning 
to  his  frontier  post,  therefore,  he  sent  Boabdil  a 
reinforcement  of  Christian  foot-soldiers  and  arque- 
busiers,  under  Fenian  Alvarez  de  Sotomayer, 

1 Alcantara,  Hist.  Granad.  vol.  3,  c.  17,  apud  De  Harro  No» 
hiliaric  Genealogico.  lib.  5,  cap.  15. 


316  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

alcayde  of  Colomera.  This  was  as  a firebrand 
thrown  in  to  light  up  anew  the  flames  of  war 
in  the  city,  which  remained  raging  between  the 
the  Moorish  inhabitants  for  the  space  of  fifty 


CHAPTER  XL VII. 


How  King  Ferdinand  laid  siege  to  Velez  Malaga. 


ITHERTO,.  the  events  of  this  renowned 
war  have  been  little  else  than  a suc- 
cession of  brilliant  but  brief  exploits, 
such  as  sudden  forays,  wild  skirmishes  among  the 
mountains,  and  the  surprisals  of  castles,  fortresses, 
and  frontier  towns.  We  approach  now  to  more 
important  and  prolonged  operations,  in  which 
ancient  and  mighty  cities,  the  bulwarks  of  Gra- 
nada, were  invested  by  powerful  armies,  subdued 
by  slow  and  regular  sieges,  and  thus  the  capital 
left  naked  and  alone. 

The  glorious  triumphs  of  the  Christian  sover- 
eigns (says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida)  had  resounded 
throughout  the  East,  and  filled  all  heathenesse 
with  alarm.  The  Grand-Turk  Bajazet  II.,  and 
his  deadly  foe  the  grand  soldan  of  Egypt,  sus- 
pending for  a time  their  bloody  feuds,  entered 
into  a league  to  protect  the  religion  of  Mahomet 
and  the  kingdom  of  Granada  from  the  hostilities 
of  the  Christians.  It  was  concerted  between 
them,  that  Bajazet  should  send  a powerful  armada 
against  the  island  of  Sicily,  then  appertaining  to 
the  Spanish  crown,  for  the  purpose  of  distracting 
the  attention  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns  ; while, 


818 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


at  the  same  time,  great  bodies  of  troops  should  be 
poured  into  Granada,  from  the  opposite  coast  of 
Africa. 

Ferdinand  and  Isabella  received  timely  intelli- 
gence of  these  designs.  Tl^ey  resolved  at  once 
to  carry  the  war  into  the  sea-board  of  Granada, 
to  possess  themselves  of  its  ports,  and  thus,  as  it 
were,  to  bar  the  gates  of  the  kingdom  against  all 
external  aid.  Malaga  was  to  be  the  main  object 
of  attack : it  was  the  principal  sea-port  of  the 
kingdom,  and  almost  necessary  to  its  existence. 
It  had  long  been  the  seat  of  opulent  commerce, 
sending  many  ships  to  the  coasts  of  Syria  and 
Egypt.  It  was  also  the  great  channel  of  com- 
munication with  Africa,  through  which  were  in- 
troduced supplies  of  money,  troops,  arms,  and 
steeds,  from  Tunis,  Tripoli,  Fez,  Tremezan,  and 
other  Barbary  powers.  It  was  emphatically 
called,  therefore,  the  hand  and  mouth  of  Gra- 
nada.” Before  laying  siege  to  this  redoubtable 
city,  however,  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  secure 
the  neighboring  city  of  Velez  Malaga  and  its 
dependent  places,  which  might  otherwise  harass 
the  besieging  army. 

For  this  important  campaign,  the  nobles  of  the 
kinsfdom  were  again  summoned  to  take  the  field 
with  their  forces,  in  the  spring  of  1487.  The 
menaced  invasion  of  the  infidel  powers  of  the 
East,  had  awakened  new  ardor  in  the  bosoms  of 
all  true  Christian  knights  ; and  so  zealously  did 
they  respond  to  the  summons  of  the  sovereigns, 
that  an  army  of  twenty  thousand  cavalry  and 
fifty  thousand  foot,  the  flower  of  Spanish  warriors, 


TERDINAND^S  DEPARTURE  FOR  MALaGA.  319 

led  by  the  bravest  of  Spanish  cavaliers,  thronged 
the  renowned  city  of  Cordova,  at  the  appointed 
time. 

On  the  night  before  this  mighty  host  set  forth 
upon  its  march,  an  earthquake  shook  the  city. 
The  inhabitants,  awakened  by  the  shaking  of  the 
walls  and  rocking  of  the  towers,  fled  to  the  courts 
and  squares,  fearing  to  be  overwhelmed  by  the 
ruins  of  their  dwellings.  The  earthquake  was 
most  violent  in  the  quarter  of  the  royal  residence, 
the  site  of  the  ancient  palace  of  the  Moorish 
kings.  Many  looked  upon  this  as  an  omen  of 
some  impending  evil  ; but  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
in  that  infallible  spirit  of  divination  which  suc- 
ceeds an  event,  plainly  reads  in  it  a presage  that 
the  empire  of  the  Moors  was  about  to  be  shaken 
to  its  centre. 

It  was  on  Saturday,  the  eve  of  the  Sunday  of 
Palms  (says  a worthy  and  loyal  chronicler  of  the 
time),  that  the  most  Catholic  monarch  departed 
with  his  army,  to  render  service  to  Heaven,  and 
make  war  upon  the  Moors.^  Heavy  rains  had 
swelled  all  the  streams,  and  rendered  the  roads 
deep  and  difficult.  The  king,  therefore,  divided 
his  host  into  two  bodies.  In  oim  be  put  all  the 
the  artillery,  guarded  by  a strong  body  of  horse, 
and  commanded  by  the  master  of  Alcantara  and 
Martin  Alonzo,  senior  of  Montemayor.  This 
division  was  to  proceed  by  the  road  through  the 
valleys,  where  pasturage  abounded  for  the  oxen 
which  drew  the  ordnance. 

The  main  body  of  the  army  was  led  by  the 
1 Pulgar,  Cronica  de  los  Reyes  Caiholicos. 


320 


^CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


king  in  person.  It  was  divided  into  numerous 
battalions,  each  commanded  by  some  distinguished 
cavalier.  The  king  took  the  rough  and  perilous 
road  of  the  mountains,  and  few  mountains  are 
more  rugged  and  difficult  than  those  of  Andalusia. 
The  roads  are  mere  mule-paths,  straggling  amidst 
rocks  and  along  the  verge  of  precipices,  clam- 
bering vast  craggy  heights,  or  descending  into 
frightful  chasms  and  ravines,  with  scanty  and 
uncertain  foothold  for  either  man  or  steed.  Four 
thousand  pioneers  were  sent  in  advance,  under 
the  alcayde  de  los  Donceles,  to  conquer,  in  some 
degree,  the  asperities  of  the  road.  Some  had 
pickaxes  and  crowbars  to  break  the  rocks,  others 
had  implements  to  construct  bridges  over  the 
mountain  torrents,  while  it  was  the  duty  of  others 
to  lay  stepping-stones  in  the  smaller  streams.  As 
the  country  was  inhabited  by  fierce  Moorish 
mountaineers,  Don  Diego  de  Castrillo  was  dis- 
patched, with  a body  of  horse  and  foot,  to  take 
possession  of  the  heights  and  passes.  Notwith- 
standing every  precaution,  the  royal  army  suffered 
excessively  on  its  march.  At  one  time  there  was 
no  place  to  encamp,  for  five  leagues  of  the  most 
toilsome  and  mountainous  country  ; and  many  of 
the  beasts  of  burden  sank  down,  and  perished  on 
the  road. 

It  was  with  the  greatest  joy,  therefore,  that 
the  royal  army  emerged  from  these  stern  and 
frightful  defiles,  and  came  to  where  they  looked 
down  upon  the  vega  of  Velez  Malaga.  The  re- 
gion before  them  was  one  of  the  most  delectable 
to  the  eye,  that  ever  was  ravaged  by  an  army. 


VELEZ  MALAGA. 


321 


Sheltered  from  every  rude  blast  by  a screen  of 
mountains,  and  sloping  and  expanding  to  the 
south,  this  lovely  valley  was  quickened  by  the 
most  generous  sunshine,  watered  by  the  silver 
meanderings  of  the  Velez,  and  refreshed  by  cool- 
ing breezes  from  the  Mediterranean.  The  sloping 
hills  were  covered  with  vineyards  and  olive-trees  ; 
the  distant  fields  waved  with  grain,  or  were  ver- 
dant with  pasturage ; while  round  the  city  were 
delightful  gardens,  the  favorite  retreats  of  the 
Moors,  where  their  white  pavilions  gleamed 
among  groves  of  oranges,  citrons,  and  pomegran- 
ates, and  were  surmounted  by  stately  palms  — 
those  plants  of  southern  growth,  bespeaking  a 
generous  climate  and  a cloudless  sky. 

In  the  upper  part  of  this  delightful  valley,  the 
city  of  Velez  Malaga  reared  its  warrior  battle- 
ments in  stern  contrast  to  the  landscape.  It  was 
built  on  the  declivity  of  a steep  and  insulated  hill, 
and  strongly  fortified  by  walls  and  towers.  The 
crest  of  the  hill  rose  high  above  the  town,  into  a 
mere  crag,  inaccessible  on  every  other  side,  and 
crowned  by  a powerful  castle,  which  domineered 
over  the  surrounding  country.  Two  suburbs 
swept  down  into  the  valley,  from  the  skirts  of 
the  town,  and  were  defended  by  bulwarks  and 
deep  ditches.  The  vast  ranges  of  gray  moun- 
tains, often  capped  with  clpuds,  which  rose  to  the 
north,  were  inhabited  by  a hardy  and  warlike  race, 
whose  strong  fortresses  of  Comares,  Canillas, 
Competa,  and  Benamargosa,  frowned  down  from 
cragged  heights. 

When  the  Christian  host  arrived  in  sight  of 


522 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


this  valley,  a squadron  was  hovering  on  the 
smooth  sea  before  it,  displaying  the  banner  of 
Castile.  This  was  commanded  by  the  count  of 
Trevento,  and  consisted  of  four  armed  galleys, 
conveying  a number  of  caravels,  laden  with  sup- 
plies for  the  army. 

After  surveying  the  ground,  king  Ferdinand 
encamped  on  the  side  of  a mountain  which  ad- 
vanced close  to  the  city,  and  was  the  last  of  a 
rugged  sierra,  or  chain  of  heights,  that  extended 
quite  to  Granada.  On  the  summit  of  this  moun- 
tain, and  overlooking  the  camp,  was  a Moorish 
town,  powerfully  fortified,  called  Bentomiz,  con- 
sidered capable  of  yielding  great  assistance  to 
Velez  Malaga.  Several  of  the  generals  remon- 
strated with  the  king  for  choosing  a post  so  ex- 
posed to  assaults  from  the  mountaineers ; but  he 
replied  that  he  should  thus  cut  off  all  communi- 
cation between  Bentomiz  and  the  city ; and  that 
as  to  the  danger,  his  soldiers  must  keep  the  more 
vigilant  guard  against  surprise. 

King  Ferdinand  rode  about,  attended  by  sev- 
eral cavaliers  and  a small  number  of  cuirassiers, 
appointing  the  various  stations  of  the  camp. 
Having  directed  a body. of  foot-soldiers  to  possess 
themselves,  as  an  advanced  guard,  of  an  impor- 
tant height  which  overlooked  the  city,  he  retired 
to  a tent  to  take  refreshment.  While  at  table, 
he  was  startled  by  a sudden  uproar,  and,  looking 
forth,  beheld  his  soldiers  flying  before  a superior 
force  of  the  enemy.  The  king  had  on  no  other 
armor  but  a cuirass ; seizing  a lance,  however,  he 
sprang  upon  his  horse  and  galloped  to  protect  the 


IMMINENT  PERIL  OF  TEE  KING.  323 


fugitives,  followed  by  his  handful  of  knights  and 
cuirassiers.  When  the  soldiers  saw  the  king 
hastening  to  their  aid,  they  turned  upon  their 
pursuers.  Ferdinand,  in  his  eagerness,  threw 
himself  into  the  midst  of  the  foe.  One  of  his 
grooms  was  killed  beside  him ; but,  before  the 
Moor  who  slew  him  could  escape,  the  king  trans- 
fixed him  with  his  lance.  He  then  sought  to 
draw  his  sword,  which  hung  at  his  saddle-bow, 
but  in  vain.  Never  had  he  been  exposed  to 
such  peril ; he  was  surrounded  by  the  enemy, 
without  a weapon  wherewith  to  defend  himself. 

In  this  moment  of  awful  jeopardy,  the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz,  the  count  de  Cabra,  the  adelan- 
tado  of  Murcia,  with  two  other  cavaliers,  named 
Garcilasso  de  la  Vega  and  Diego  de  Atayde, 
came  galloping  to  the  scene  of  action,  and,  sur- 
rounding the  king,  made  a rampart  of  their  bodies 
against  the  assaults  of  the  Moors.  The  horse  of 
the  marques  was  pierced  by  an  arrow,  and  that 
worthy  cavalier  exposed  to  imminent  danger ; 
but,  with  the  aid  of  his  valorous  companions,  he 
quickly  put  the  enemy  to  flight,  and  pursued 
them,  with  slaughter,  to  the  very  gates  of  the 
city. 

When  those  loyal  warriors  returned  from  the 
pursuit,  they  remonstrated  with  the  king  for  ex- 
posing his  life  in  personal  conflict,  seeing  that  he 
had  so  many  valiant  captains  whose  business  it 
was  to  fight.  They  reminded  him  that  the  life 
of  a prince  was  the  life  of  his  people,  and  that 
many  a brave  army  was  lost  by  the  loss  of  its 
commander.  They  entreated  him,  therefore,  in 


324 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


future  to  protect  them  with  the  force  of  his  mind 
in  the  cabinet,  rather  than  of  his  arm  in  the 
field. 

Ferdinand  acknowledged  the  wisdom  of  their 
advice,  but  declared  that  he  could  not  see  his 
people  in  peril  without  venturing  his  person  to 
assist  them,  — a reply  (say  the  old  chroniclers) 
which  delighted  the  whole  army,  inasmuch  as 
they  saw  that  he  not  only  governed  them  as  a 
good  king,  but  protected  them  as  a valiant  cap- 
tain. He,  however,  was  conscious  of  the  extreme 
peril  to  which  he  had  been  exposed,  and  made  a 
vow  never  again  to  venture  into  battle  without 
having  his  sword  girt  to  his  side.^ 

When  this  achievement  of  the  king  was  re- 
lated to  Isabella,  she  trembled  amidst  her  joy  at 
his  safety ; and  afterwards,  in  memorial  of  the 
event,  granted  to  Velez  Malaga,  as  the  arms  of 
the  city,  the  figure  of  the  king  on  horseback, 
with  a groom  lying  dead  at  his  feet,  and  the 
Moors  flying.^ 

The  camp  was  formed,  but  the  artillery  was 
yet  on  the  road,  advancing  with  infinite  labor,  at 
the  rate  of  merely  a league  a day ; for  heavy 
rains  had  converted  the  streams  of  the  valleys 
into  raging  torrents,  and  completely  broken  up 
the  roads.  In  the  mean  time,  king  Ferdinand 
ordered  an  assault  on  the  suburbs  of  the  city. 
They  were  carried,  after  a sanguinary  conflict  of 
SIX  hours,  in  which  many  Christian  cavaliers  were 

1 Illescas,  Hist.  Pontif.  lib.  6,  c.  20.  Vedmar,  Hist.  Velez 
Malaga. 

2 Ibid. 


SKIRMISHES  BEFORE  MALAGA.  325 


killed  and  wounded,  and,  among  the  latter,  Don 
Alvaro  of  Portugal,  son  of  the  duke  of  Braganza. 
The  suburbs  were  then  fortified  towards  the  city 
with  trenches  and  palisades,  and  garrisoned  by  a 
chosen  force,  t*'"der  Don  Fadrique  de  Toledo. 
Other  trenches  were  digged  round  the  city,  and 
from  the  suburbs  to  the  royal  camp,  so  as  to  cut 
oflT  all  communication  with  the  surrounding  coun- 
try. 

Bodies  of  troops  were  also  sent  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  mountain  passes,  by  which  the 
supplies  for  the  army  had  to  be  brought.  The 
mountains,  however,  were  so  steep  and  rugged, 
and  so  full  of  defiles  and  lurking-places,  that  the 
Moors  could  sally  forth  and  retreat  in  perfect 
security ; frequently  swooping  down  upon  Chris- 
tian convoys,  and  bearing  off*  both  booty  and 
prisoners  to  their  strongholds.  Sometimes  the 
Moors  would  light  fires  at  night,  on  the  sides  of 
the  mountains,  which  would  be  answered  by  fires 
from  the  watch-towers  and  fortresses.  By  these 
signals  they  would  concert  assaults  upon  the 
Christian  camp,  which,  in  consequence,  was 
obliged  to  be  continually  on  the  alert. 

King  Ferdinand  flattered  himself  that  the 
manifestation  of  his  force  had  struck  sufficient 
terror  into  the  city,  and  that  by  offers  of  clemency 
it  might  be  induced  to  capitulate.  He  wrote  a 
letter,  therefore,  to  the  commanders,  promising, 
in  case  of  immediate  surrender,  that  all  the  in- 
habitants should  be  permitted  to  depart  with  their 
effects ; but  threatening  them  with  fire  and  sword 
if  they  persisted  in  defense.  This  letter  was 


326 


CONQUEST  OF  OR  AN  AD  A 


dispatched  by  a cavalier  named  Carvajal,  who^ 
putting  it  on  the  end  of  a lance,  reached  it  to 
the  Moors  on  the  walls  of  the  city.  Abul  Cacim 
Vanegas,  son  of  Reduan  and  alcayde  of  the  for- 
tress, replied  that  the  king  was  too  noble  and 
magnanimous  to  put  such  a threat  in  execution, 
and  that  he  should  not  surrender,  as  he  knew  the 
artillery  could  not  be  brought  to  the  camp,  and 
he  was  promised  succor  by  the  king  of  Granada. 

At  the  same  time  that  he  received  this  reply, 
the  king  learned  that  at  the  strong  town  of  Co- 
mares, about  two  leagues  distant  from  the  camp, 
a large  number  of  warriors  had  assembled  from 
the  Axarquia,  the  same  mountains  in  which  the 
Christian  cavaliers  had  been  massacred  in  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  and  that  others  were  daily 
expected,  for  this  rugged  sierra  was  capable  of 
furnishing  fifteen  thousand  fighting  men. 

King  Ferdinand  felt  that  his  army,  thus  dis- 
jointed, and  inclosed  in  an  enemy’s  country,  was 
in  a perilous  situation,  and  that  the  utmost  dis- 
cipline and  vigilance  were  necessary.  He  put 
the  camp  under  the  strictest  regulations,  forbid- 
ding all  gaming,  blasphemy,  or  brawl,  and  expel- 
ling all  loose  women  and  their  attendant  bully 
ruffians,  the  usual  fomenters  of  riot  and  conten- 
tion among  soldiery.  He  ordered  that  none 
should  sally  forth  to  skirmish  without  permission 
from  their  commanders ; that  none  should  set  fire 
to  the  woods  on  the  neighboring  mountains ; and 
that  all  word  of  security  given  to  Moorish  places 
or  individuals  should  be  inviolably  observed 
These  regulations  were  enforced  by  severe  penal- 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE  ATTACK,  327 


ties,  and  had  such  salutary  effect  that,  though  a 
vast  host  of  various  people  was  collected  together, 
not  an  opprobrious  epithet  was  heard,  nor  a 
weapon  drawn  in  quarrel. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  cloud  of  war  continued 
to  gather  about  the  summits  of  the  mountains, 
and  multitudes  of  the  fierce  warriors  of  the 
sierra  descended  to  the  lower  heights  of  Ben- 
tomiz,  which  overhung  the  camp,  intending  to 
force  their  way  to  the  city.  A detachment  was 
sent  against  them,  which,  after  sharp  fighting, 
drove  them  to  the  higher  cliffs,  where  it  was  im- 
possible to  pursue  them. 

Ten  days  had  elapsed  since  the  encampment  of 
the  army,  yet  still  the  artillery  had  not  arrived. 
The  lombards  and  other  heavy  ordnance  were 
left  in  despair,  at  Antiquera ; the  rest  came  groan- 
ing slowly  through  the  narrow  valleys,  which 
were  filled  with  long  trains  of  artillery,  and  cars 
laden  with  munitions.  At  length  part  of  the 
smaller  ordnance  arrived  within  half  a league  of 
the  camp,  and  the  Christians  were  animated  with 
the  hopes  of  soon  being  able  to  make  a regulaf 
attack  upon  the  fortifications  of  the  city. 


CHAPTER  XLVIIL 

How  King  Ferdinand  and  his  Army  were  exposed  to  immi- 
nent Peril,  before  Velez  Malaga. 


HTLE  the  standard  of  the  cross  waved 
on  the  hills  before  Velez  Malaga,  and 
every  height  and  cliff  bristled  with 
hostile  arms,  the  civil  war  between  the  factions 
of  the  Alhambra  and  the  Albaycin,  or  rather 
between  El  Zagal  and  El  Chico,  continued  to 
convulse  the  city  of  Granada.  The  tidings  of 
the  investment  of  Velez  Malaga  at  length  roused 
the  attention  of  the  old  men  and  the  alfaquis, 
whose  heads  were  not  heated  by  the  daily  broils, 
and  they  endeavored  to  arouse  the  people  to  a 
sense  of  their  common  danger. 

Why,”  said  they,  “ continue  these  brawls 
between  brethren  and  kindred  ? what  battles  are 
these,  where  even  triumph  is  ignominious,  and 
the  victor  blushes  and  conceals  his  scars  ? Be- 
hold the  Christians  ravaging  the  land  won  by  the 
valor  and  blood  of  your  forefathers  ; dwelling  in 
the  houses  they  built,  sitting  under  the  trees  they 
planted,  while  your  brethren  wander  about,  house- 
less and  desolate.  Do  you  wish  to  seek  your 
real  foe  ? — he  is  encamped  on  the  mountain  of 
Bentomiz.  Do  you  want  a field  for  the  display 
of  your  valor  ? — you  will  find  it  before  the  walls 
of  Velez  Malaga.” 


EL  Z AG  AES  DILEMMA, 


329 


When  they  had  roused  the  spirit  of  the  people, 
they  made  their  way  to  the  rival  kings,  and 
addressed  them  with  like  remonstrances.  Hamet 
Aben  Zarrax,  the  inspired  santon,  reproached  El 
Zagal  with  his  blind  and  senseless  ambition : 
‘‘  You  are  striving  to  be  king,”  said  he,  bitterly, 
yet  suffer  the  kingdom  to  be  lost ! ” 

El  Zagal  found  himself  in  a perplexing  dilem- 
ma. He  had  a double  war  to  wage,  — with  the 
enemy  without,  and  the  enemy  within.  Should 
the  Christians  gain  possession  of  the  sea-coast,  it 
would  be  ruinous  to  the  kingdom ; should  he 
leave  Granada  to  oppose  them,  his  vacant  throne 
might  be  seized  on  by  his  nephew.  He  made  a 
merit  of  necessity,  and,  pretending  to  yield  to  the 
remonstrances  of  the  alfaquis,  endeavored  to  com- 
promise with  Boabdil.  He  expressed  deep  con- 
cern at  the  daily  losses  of  the  country,  caused  by 
the  dissensions  of  the  capital ; an  opportunity 
now  presented  to  retrieve  all  by  a blow.  The 
Christians  had  in  a manner  put  themselves  in  a 
tomb  between  the  mountains  — nothing  remained 
but  to  throw  the  earth  upon  them.  He  offered 
to  resign  the  title  of  king,  to  submit  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  his  nephew,  and  fight  under  his 
standard  ; all  he  desired  was  to  hasten  to  the 
relief  of  Velez  Malaga,  and  to  take  full  ven- 
geance on  the  Christians. 

Boabdil  spurned  his  proposition,  as  the  artifice 
of  a hypocrite  and  a traitor.  “ How  shall  I trust 
a man,”  said  he,  “ who  has  murdered  my  father 
and  my  kindred  by  treachery,  and  has  repeatedly 
sought  my  own  life,  both  by  violence  and 
stratagem  ? ” 


330 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


El  Zagal  boiled  with  rage  and  vexation  — but 
there  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  He  was  beset  by 
the  alfaquis  and  the  nobles  of  his  court ; the 
youthful  cavaliers  were  hot  for  action,  the  com- 
mon people  loud  in  their  complaints  that  the  rich- 
est cities  were  abandoned  to  the  mercy  of  the 
enemy.  The  old  warrior  was  naturally  fond  of 
fighting ; he  saw  also  that  to  remain  inactive 
would  endanger  both  crown  and  kingdom,  whereas 
a successful  blow  might  secure  his  popularity  in 
Granada.  He  had  a much  more  powerful  force 
than  his  nephew,  having  lately  received  reinforce- 
ments from  Baza,  Guadix,  and  Almeria ; he  could 
march  with  a large  force,  therefore,  to  the  relief 
of  Velez  Malaga,  and  yet  leave  a strong  garrison 
in  the  Alhambra.  He  took  his  measures  accord- 
ingly, and  departed  suddenly  in  the  night,  at  the 
head  of  one  thousand  horse  and  twenty  thousand 
foot,  and  urged  his  way  rapidly  by  the  most  un- 
frequented roads,  along  the  chain  of  mountains 
extending  from  Granada  to  the  heights  above 
Velez  Malaga. 

The  Christians  were  alarmed  one  evening  by 
the  sudden  blazing  of  great  fires  on  the  moun- 
tains about  the  fortress  of  Bentomiz.  By  the  ruddy 
light,  they  beheld  the  flash  of  weapons  and  the 
array  of  troops,  and  they  heard  the  distant  sound 
of  Moorish  drums  and  trumpets.  The  fires  of 
Bentomiz  were  answered  by  fires  on  the  towers 
of  Velez  Malaga.  The  shouts  of  “ El  Zagal ! 
El  Zagal ! ” echoed  along  the  cliffs,  and  re- 
sounded from  the  city ; and  the  Christians  found 
that  the  old  warrior  king  of  Granada  was  on  the 
mountain  above  their  camp. 


EL  ZAGAL  REINFORCES  BENTOMIZ,  331 


The  spirits  of  the  Moors  were  suddenly  raised 
to  a pitch  of  the  greatest  exultation,  while  the 
Christians  were  astonished  to  see  this  storm  of 
war  ready  to  burst  upon  their  heads.  The  count 
de  Cabra,  with  his  accustomed  eagerness  when 
there  was  a king  in  the  field,  would  fain  have 
scaled  the  heights,  and  attacked  El  Zagal  before 
he  had  time  to  form  his  camp ; but  Ferdinand, 
more  cool  and  wary,  restrained  liim.  To  attack 
the  height  would  be  to  abandon  the  siege.  He 
ordered  every  one,  therefore,  to  keep  vigilant 
watch  at  his  post  and  stand  ready  to  defend  it  to 
the  utmost,  but  on  no  account  to  sally  forth  and 
attack  the  enemy. 

All  night  the  signal-fires  kept  blazing  along  the 
mountains,  rousing  and  animating  the  whole  coun- 
try. The  morning  sun  rose  over  the  lofty  sum- 
mit of  Bentomiz  on  a scene  of  martial  splendor. 
As  its  rays  glanced  down  the  mountain,  they 
lighted  up  the  white  tents  of  the  Christian  cava- 
liers, cresting  its  lower  prominences,  their  pennons 
and  ensigns  fluttering  in  the  morning  breeze. 
The  sumptuous  pavilions  of  the  king,  with  the 
holy  standard  of  the  cross  and  the  royal  banners 
of  Castile  and  Arragon,  dominated  the  encamp- 
ment. Beyond  lay  the  city,  its  lofty  castle  and 
numerous  towers  glistening  with  arms,  while 
above  all,  and  just  on  the  profile  of  the  height,  in 
the  full  blaze  of  the  rising  sun,  were  descried  the 
tents  of  the  Moor,  his  troops  clustering  about 
them,  and  his  infidel  banners  floating  against  the 
sky.  Columns  of  smoke  rose  where  the  night- 
fires  had  blazed,  and  the  clash  of  the  Moorish 


332 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


cymbal,  the  bray  of  trumpet,  and  the  neigh  of 
steed,  were  faintly  heard  from  the  airy  heights. 
So  pure  and  transparent  is  the  atmosphere  in  this 
region,  that  every  object  can  be  distinctly  seen  at 
a great  distance ; and  the  Christians  were  able  to 
behold  the  formidable  hosts  of  foes  gathering  on 
the  summits  of  the  surrounding  mountains. 

One  of  the  first  measures  of  the  Moorish  king 
was  to  detach  a large  force,  under  Reduan  de 
Vanegas,  alcayde  of  Granada,  to  fall  upon  the 
convoy  of  ordnance,  which  stretched,  for  a great 
distance,  through  the  mountain  defiles.  Ferdi- 
nand had  anticipated  this  attempt,  and  sent  the 
commander  of  Leon,  with  a body  of  horse  and 
foot,  to  reinforce  the  master  of  Alcantara.  El 
Zagal,  from  his  mountain  height,  beheld  the  de- 
tachment issue  from  the  camp,  and  immediately 
recalled  Reduan.  The  armies  now  remained 
quiet  for  a time,  the  Moor  looking  grimly  down 
upon  the  Christian  camp,  like  a tiger  meditating 
a bound  upon  his  prey.  The  Christians  were  in 
fearful  jeopardy  — a hostile  city  below  them,  a 
powerful  army  above  them,  and  on  every  side 
mountains  filled  with  implacable  foes. 

After  El  Zagal  had  maturely  considered  the 
situation  of  the  Christian  camp,  and  informed 
himself  of  all  the  passes  of  the  mountain,  he 
conceived  a plan  to  surprise  the  enemy,  which  he 
flattered  himself  would  insure  their  ruin,  and 
perhaps  the  capture  of  King  Ferdinand.  He 
wrote  a letter  to  the  alcayde  of  the  city,  com- 
manding him,  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  on  a 
signal-fire  being  made  from  the  mountain,  to  sally 


EL  ZAGAVS  STRATAGEM, 


333 


forth  with  all  his  troops,  and  fall  furiously  upon 
the  Christian  camp.  The  king  would,  at  the 
same  time,  rush  down  with  his  army  from  the 
mountain,  and  assail  it  on  the  opposite  side,  thus 
overwhelming  it  at  the  hour  of  deep  repose. 
This  letter  he  dispatched  by  a renegado  Chris- 
tian, who  knew  all  the  secret  roads  of  the  coun- 
try, and,  if  taken,  could  pass  himself  for  a Chris- 
tian who  had  escaped  from  captivity. 

El  Zagal,  confident  in  his  stratagem,  looked 
down  upon  the  Christians  as  his  devoted  victims. 
As  the  sun  went  down,  and  the  long  shadows 
of  the  mountains  stretched  across  the  vega,  he 
pointed  with  exultation  to  the  camp  below,  ap- 
parently unconscious  of  the  impending  danger. 
“ Behold,”  said  he,  “ the  unbelievers  are  delivered 
into  our  hands ; their  king  and  choicest  chivalry 
will  soon  be  at  our  mercy.  Now  is  the  time  to 
show  the  courage  of  men,  and,  by  one  glorious 
victory,  retrieve  all  that  we  have  lost.  Happy 
he  who  falls  fighting  in  the  cause  of  the  prophet ! 
he  will  at  once  be  transported  to  the  paradise  of 
the  faithful,  and  surrounded  by  immortal  houris. 
Happy  he  who  shall  survive  victorious ! he  will 
behold  Granada  ! — an  earthly  paradise  — once 
more  delivered  from  its  foes,  and  restored  to  all 
its  glory.”  The  words  of  El  Zagal  were  received 
with  acclamations  by  his  troops,  who  waited  im- 
patiently for  the  appointed  hour,  to  pour  down 
from  their  mountain-hold  upon  the  Christians. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 


Result  of  the  Stratagem  of  El  Zagal  to  surprise  King  Ferdi- 
nand. 


UEEN  ISABELLA  and  her  court  had 
remained  at  Cordova,  in  great  anxiety 
for  the  result  of  the  royal  expedition. 
Every  day  brought  tidings  of  the  difficulties 
which  attended  the  transportation  of  the  ordnance 
and  munitions,  and  of  the  critical  state  of  the 
army. 

While  in  this  state  of  anxious  suspense,  cou- 
riers arrived  with  all  speed  from  the  frontiers, 
bringing  tidings  of  the  sudden  sally  of  El  Zagal 
from  Granada,  to  surprise  the  camp.  All  Cor- 
dova was  in  consternation.  The  destruction  of 
the  Andalusian  chivalry,  among  the  mountains 
of  this  very  neighborhood,  was  called  to  mind ; 
it  was  feared  that  similar  ruin  was  about  to  burst 
forth,  from  rocks  and  precipices,  upon  Ferdinand 
and  his  army. 

Queen  Isabella  shared  in  the  public  alarm,  but 
it  served  to  rouse  all  the  energies  of  her  heroic 
mind.  Instead  of  uttering  idle  apprehensions, 
she  sought  only  how  to  avert  the  danger.  She 
called  upon  all  the  men  of  Andalusia,  under  the 
age  of  seventy,  to  arm  and  hasten  to  the  relief 
of  their  sovereign ; and  she  prepared  to  set  out 


REINFORCEMENTS  FOR  FERDINAND,  335 


with  the  first  levies.  The  grand  cardinal  of 
Spain,  old  Pedro  Gonzalez  de  Mendoza,  in  whom 
the  piety  of  the  saint  and  the  wisdom  of  the 
counselor  were  mingled  with  the  fire  of  the  cava- 
lier, offered  high  pay  to  all  horsemen  who  would 
follow  him  to  aid  their  king  and  the  Christian 
cause ; and,  buckling  on  armor,  prepared  to  lead 
them  to  the  scene  of  danger. 

The  summons  of  the  queen  roused  the  quick 
Andalusian  spirit.  Warriors  who  had  long  since 
given  up  fighting,  and  had  sent  their  sons  to  bat- 
tle, now  seized  the  sword  and  lance,  rusting  on 
the  wall,  and  marshaled  forth  their  gray-headed 
domestics  and  their  grandchildren  for  the  field. 
The  great  dread  was,  that  all  aid  would  arrive 
too  late ; El  Zagal  and  his  host  had  passed  like  a 
storm  through  the  mountains,  and  it  was  feared 
the  tempest  had  already  burst  upon  the  Christian 
camp. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  night  kad  closed  which 
had  been  appointed  by  El  Zagal  for  the  execu- 
tion of  his  plan.  He  had  watched  the  last  light 
of  day  expire,  and  all  the  Spanish  camp  remained 
tranquil.  As  the  hours  wore  away,  the  camp- 
fires were  gradually  extinguished.  No  drum  nor 
trumpet  sounded  from  below.  Nothing  was  heard, 
but  now  and  then  the  dull,  heavy  tread  of  troops, 
or  the  echoing  tramp  of  horses  — the  usual  pa- 
trols of  the  camp,  and  the  changes  of  the  guards. 
El  Zagal  restrained  his  own  impatience,  and  that 
of  his  troops,  until  the  night  should  be  advanced, 
and  the  camp  sunk  in  that  heavy  sleep  from 
which  men  are  with  difliculty  awakened ; and, 


336 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


when  awakened,  prone  to  be  bewildered  and  dis* 
mayed. 

At  length  the  appointed  hour  arrived.  By 
order  of  the  Moorish  king,  a bright  flame  sprung 
up  from  the  height  of  Bentomiz;  but  El  Zagal 
looked  in  vain  for  the  responding  light  from  the 
city.  His  impatience  would  brook  no  longer  de- 
lay ; he  ordered  the  advance  of  the  army  to  de- 
scend the  mountain  defile  and  attack  the  camp. 
The  defile  was  narrow,  and  overhung  by  rocks  ; 
as  the  troops  proceeded,  they  came  suddenly,  in 
a shadowy  hollow,  upon  a dark  mass  of  warriors, 
who,  with  a loud  shout,  rushed  to  assail  them. 
Surprised  and  disconcerted,  they  retreated  in  con- 
fusion to  the  height.  When  El  Zagal  heard  of 
a Christian  force  in  the  defile,  he  doubted  some 
counter-plan  of  the  enemy,  and  gave  orders  to 
light  the  mountain  fires.  On  a signal  given, 
bright  flames  sprang  up  on  every  height,  from 
pyres  of  wood,  prepared  for  the  purpose : cliff 
blazed  out  after  cliff,  until  the  whole  atmosphere 
was  in  a glow  of  furnace  light.  The  ruddy  glare 
lit  up  the  glens  and  passes,  and  fell  strongly  upon 
the  Christian  camp,  revealing  all  its  tents,  and 
every  post  and  bulwark.  Wherever  El  Zagal 
turned  his  eyes,  he  beheld  the  light  of  his  fires 
flashed  back  from  cuirass,  and  helm,  and  spark- 
ling lance ; he  beheld  a grove  of  spears  planted 
in  every  pass,  every  assailable  point  bristling  with 
arms,  and  squadrons  of  horse  and  foot  in  battle 
array,  awaiting  his  attack. 

In  fact,  his  letter  to  the  alcayde  of  Velez  Mal- 
aga had  been  intercepted  by  the  vigilant  Fer- 


TEE  STRATAGEM  FOILED. 


337 


dinand,  the  renegade  messenger  hanged,  and  secret 
measures  taken,  after  nightfall,  to  give  the  Moors 
a warm  reception.  El  Zagal  saw  that  his  plan 
of  surprise  was  discovered  and  foiled  ; furious 
with  disappointment,  he  ordered  his  troops  for- 
ward to  the  attack.  They  rushed  down  the  de- 
file, but  were  again  encountered  by  the  mass  of 
Christian  warriors,  being  the  advance  guard  of 
the  army,-  commanded  by  Don  Hurtado  de  Men- 
doza, brother  of  the  grand  cardinal.  The  Moors 
were  again  repulsed,  and  retreated  up  the  height. 
Don  Hurtado  would  have  followed  them,  but  the 
ascent  was  steep  and  rugged,  and  easily  defended. 
A sharp  action  was  kept  up  through  the  night, 
with  cross-bows,  darts,  and  arquebuses.  The 
cliffs  echoed  with  deafening  uproar,  while  the 
fires  blazing  upon  the  mountains  threw  a lurid 
and  uncertain  light  upon  the  scene. 

When  the  day  dawned,  and  the  Moors  saw 
that  there  was  no  co5peration  from  the  city,  they 
slackened  in  their  ardor  : they  beheld  also  every 
pass  of  the  mountain  filled  with  Christian  troops, 
and  began  to  apprehend  an  assault  in  return. 
Just  then  king  Ferdinand  sent  the  marques  of 
Cadiz,  with  horse  and  foot,  to  seize  upon  a height 
occupied  by  a battalion  of  the  enemy.  The  mar- 
ques assailed  the  Moors  with  his  usual  intrepidity, 
and  soon  put  them  to  flight.  The  others,  who 
were  above,  seeing  their  comrades  fly,  threw  down 
their  arms,  and  retreated.  One  of  those  unac- 
countable panics,  which  now  and  then  seize  upon 
great  bodies  of  people,  and  to  which  the  light- 
spirited  Moors  were  prone,  now  spread  through- 
22 


338 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


out  the  camp.  They  were  terrified,  they  knew 
not  why,  nor  at  what,  and  throwing  away  swords, 
lances,  breast-plates,  cross-bows,  everything  that 
could  impede  their  motions,  scattered  themselves 
wildly  in  every  direction.  They  fled  without 
pursuers  — from  the  glimpse  of  each  other’s  arms, 
from  the  sound  of  each  other’s  footsteps.  Reduan 
de  Vanegas,  the  brave  alcayde  of  Granada,  alone 
succeeded  in  collecting  a body  of  the  fugitives  ; 
he  made  a circuit  with  them  through  the  passes 
of  the  mountain,  and  forcing  his  way  across  a 
weak  part  of  the  Christian  lines,  galloped  towards 
Velez  Malaga.  The  rest  of  the  Moorish  host 
was  completely  scattered.  In  vain  did  El  Zagal 
and  his  knights  attempt  to  rally  them ; they  were 
left  almost  alone,  and  had  to  consult  their  own 
security  by  flight. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz,  finding  no  opposition, 
ascended  from  height  to  height,  cautiously  recon- 
noitering,  and  fearful  of  some  stratagem  or  ambush, 
All,  however,  was  quiet.  He  reached  with  his 
men  the  place  which  the  Moorish  army  had  occu- 
pied : the  heights  were  abandoned,  and  strewed 
with  cuirasses,  scimetars,  cross-bows,  and  other 
weapons.  His  force  was  too  small  to  pursue  the 
enemy,  but  returned  to  the  royal  camp  laden  with 
spoils. 

Ferdinand  at  first  could  not  credit  so  signal 
and  miraculous  a defeat,  but  suspected  some 
lurking  stratagem.  He  ordered,  therefore,  that 
a strict  watch  should  be  maintained  throughout 
the  camp,  and  every  one  be  ready  for  instant 
action.  The  following  night,  a thousand  cavaliers 


TRIUMPH  OF  THE  CHRISTIANS,  339 


and  hidalgos  kept  guard  about  the  royal  tent,  as 
they  had  done  for  several  preceding  nights  ; nor 
did  the  king  relax  this  vigilance,  until  he  received 
certain  intelligence  that  the  enemy  was  com- 
pletely scattered,  and  El  Zagal  flying  in  con- 
fusion. 

The  tidings  of  this  rout,  and  of  the  safety  of 
the  Christian  army,  arrived  at  Cordova  just  as 
reinforcements  were  on  the  point  of  setting  out. 
The  anxiety  and  alarm  of  the  queen  and  the 
public,  were  turned  to  transports  of  joy  and  grat- 
itude. The  forces  were  disbanded,  solemn  pro- 
cessions were  made,  and  Te  Deums  chanted  in  the 
churches,  for  so  signal  a victory. 


CHAPTEE  L. 


How  the  People  of  Granada  rewarded  the  Valor  of  El  Zagal. 

HE  daring  spirit  of  Muley  Abdallah  El 
Zagal,  in  sallying  forth  to  defend  his 
territories,  while  he  Teft  an  armed  rival 
in  his  capital,  struck  the  people  of  Granada  with 
admiration.  They  recalled  his  former  exploits, 
and  again  anticipated  some  hardy  achievement 
from  his  valor.  Couriers  from  the  army  reported 
its  formidable  position  on  the  height  of  Bentomiz. 
For  a time,  there  was  a pause  in  the  bloody 
commotions  of  the  city;  all  attention  was  turned 
to  the  blow  about  to  be  struck  at  the  Christian 
camp.  The  same  considerations  which  diffused 
anxiety  and  terror  through  Cordova,  swelled 
every  bosom  with  exulting  confidence  in  Granada. 
The  Moors  expected  to  hear  of  another  massacre, 
like  that  in  the  mountains  of  Malaga.  “ El  Zagal 
has  again  entrapped  the  enemy ! ” was  the  cry. 

The  power  of  the  unbelievers  is  about  to  be 
struck  to  the  heart.  We  shall  soon  see  the 
Christian  king  led  captive  to  the  capital.”  Thus 
was  the  name  of  El  Zagal  on  every  tongue.  He 
was  extolled  as  the  savior  of  the  country ; the 
only  one  worthy  of  wearing  the  Moorish  crown. 
Boabdil  was  reviled  as  basely  remaining  passive 


EL  Z AG  ADS  REWARD. 


841 


while  his  country  was  invaded ; and,  so  violent 
became  the  clamor  of  the  populace,  that  his  ad- 
herents trembled  for  his  safety. 

While  the  people  of  Granada  were  impatiently 
looking  out  for  tidings  of  the  anticipated  victory, 
scattered  horsemen  came  spurring  across  the  vega. 
They  were  fugitives  from  the  Moorish  army,  and 
brought  the  first  incoherent  account  of  its  defeat. 
Every  one  who  attempted  to  tell  the  tale  of  this 
unaccountable  panic  and  dispersion,  was  as  if  bewil- 
dered by  the  broken  recollection  of  some  frightful 
dream.  He  knew  not  how  or  why  it  came  to 
pass.  He  talked  of  a battle  in  the  night,  among 
rocks  and  precipices,  by  the  glare  of  bale-fires  ; 
of  multitudes  of  armed  foes  in  every  pass,  seen 
by  gleams  and  fiashes  ; of  the  sudden  horror  that 
seized  upon  the  army  at  daybreak  ; its  headlong 
flight,  and  total  dispersion.  Hour  after  hour,  the 
arrival  of  other  fugitives  confirmed  the  story  of 
ruin  and  disgrace. 

In  proportion  to  their  recent  vaunting,  was  the 
humiliation  that  now  fell  upon  the  people  of  Gra- 
nada. There  was  a universal  burst,  not  of  grief, 
but  of  indignation.  They  confounded  the  leader 
with  the  army  — the  deserted,  with  those  who 
had  abandoned  him  ; and  El  Zagal,  from  being 
their  idol,  became  suddenly  the  object  of  their  ex- 
ecration. He  had  sacrificed  the  army  ; he  had 
disgraced  the  nation  ; he  had  betrayed  the  coun- 
try. He  was  a dastard,  a traitor  ; he  was  unwor- 
thy to  reign. 

On  a sudden,  one  among  the  multitude  shouted. 
Long  live  Boabdil  el  Chico  !”  the  cry  was 


342 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


echoed  on  all  sides,  and  every  one  shouted,  “ Long 
live  Boabdil  el  Chico  ! long  live  the  legitimate 
king  of  Granada ! and  death  to  all  usurpers  ! ” 
In  the  excitement  of  the  moment,  they  thronged 
to  the  Albaycin ; and  those  who  had  lately  be- 
sieged Boabdil  with  arms,  now  surrounded  his 
palace  with  acclamations.  The  keys  of  the  city, 
and  of  all  the  fortresses,  were  laid  at  his  feet ; he 
was  borne  in  state  to  the  Alhambra,  and  once 
more  seated,  with  all  due  ceremony,  on  the  throne 
of  his  ancestors. 

Boabdil  had  by  this  time  become  so  accus- 
tomed to  be  crowned  and  uncrowned  by  the  mul- 
titude, that  he  put  no  great  faith  in  the  duration 
of  their  loyalty.  He  knew  that  he  was  sur- 
rounded by  hollow  hearts,  and  that  most  of  the 
courtiers  of  the  Alhambra  were  secretly  devoted 
to  his  uncle.  He  ascended  the  throne  as  the 
rightful  sovereign,  who  had  been  dispossessed  of 
it  by  usurpation ; and  he  ordered  the  heads  of 
four  of  the  principal  nobles  to  be  struck  off,  who 
had  been  most  zealous  in  support  of  the  usurper. 
Executions  of  the  kind  were  matters  of  course, 
on  any  change  in  Moorish  government ; • and 
Boabdil  was  lauded  for  his  moderation  and  hu- 
manity, in  being  content  with  so  small  a sacrifice. 
The  factions  were  awed  into  obedience ; the  pop- 
ulace, delighted  with  any  change,  extolled  Boab- 
dil to  the  skies ; and  the  name  of  Muley  Abdal- 
lah El  Zagal  was  for  a time  a by-word  of  scorn 
and  opprobrium  throughout  the  city. 

Never  was  any  commander  more  astonished 
and  confounded  by  a sudden  reverse  of  fortune, 


EE  RETIRES  TO  QUAD IX, 


343 


than  El  Zagal.  The  evening  had  seen  him  with 
a powerful  army  at  his  command,  his  enemy 
within  his  grasp,  and  victory  about  to  cover  him 
with  glory,  and  to  consolidate  his  power : the 
morning  beheld  him  a fugitive  among  the  moun- 
tains, his  army,  his  prosperity,  his  power,  all  dis- 
pelled, he  knew  not  how  — gone  like  a dream  of 
the  night.  In  vain  had  he  tried  to  stem  the 
headlong  flight  of  the  army.  He  saw  his  squad- 
rons breaking  and  dispersing  among  the  cliffs  of 
the  mountains,  until,  of  all  his  host,  only  a hand- 
ful of  cavaliers  remained  faithful.  With  these  he 
made  a gloomy  retreat  towards  Granada,  but 
with  a heart  full  of  foreboding.  As  he  drew 
near  to  the  city,  he  paused  on  the  banks  of  the 
Xenil^  and  sent  forth  scouts  to  collect  intelli- 
gence. They  returned  with  dejected  counte- 
nances : The  gates  of  Granada,”  said  they,  “ are 

closed  against  you.  The  banner  of  Boabdil  floats 
on  the  tower  of  the  Alhambra.” 

El  Zagal  turned  his  steed,  and  departed  in  si- 
lence. He  retreated  to  the  town  of  Almunecar, 
and  thence  to  Almeria,  which  places  still  remained 
faithful  to  him.  Restless  and  uneasy  at  being  so 
distant  from  the  capital,  he  again  changed  his 
abode,  and  repaired  to  the  city  of  Guadix, 
within  a few  leagues  of  Granada.  Here  he  re- 
mained, endeavoring  to  rally  his  forces,  and  pre- 
paring to  avail  himself  of  any  sudden  change  in 
the  fluctuating  politics  of  the  metropolis. 


CHAPTER  LI. 

Surrender  of  Velez  Malaga  and  other  Places. 

people  of  Yelez  Malaga  had  beheld 
the  camp  of  Muley  Abdallah,  covering 
the  summit  of  Bentomiz,  and  glittering 
in  the  last  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  During  the 
night  they  had  been  alarmed  and  perplexed  by 
signal-fires  on  the  mountain,  and  by  the  sound  of 
distant  battle.  When  the  morning  broke,  the 
Moorish  army  had  vanished  as  if  by  enchant- 
ment. While  the  inhabitants  were  lost  in  won- 
der and  conjecture,  a body  of  cavalry,  the  frag- 
ment of  the  army  saved  by  Reduan  cle  Vanegas, 
the  brave  alcayde  of  Granada,  came  galloping  to 
the  gates.  The  tidings  of  the  strange  discomfit- 
ure of  the  host  filled  the  city  with  consternation ; 
but  Reduan  exhorted  the  people  to  continue  their 
resistance.  He  was  devoted  to  El  Zagal,  and 
confident  in  his  skill  and  prowess ; and  felt  assured 
that  he  would  soon  collect  his  scattered  forces, 
and  return  with  fresh  troops  from  Granada.  The 
people  were  comforted  by  the  words,  and  en- 
couraged by  the  presence  of  Reduan  ; and  they 
had  still  a lingering  hope  that  the  heavy  artil- 
lery of  the  Christians  might  be  locked  up  in  the 
impassable  defiles  of  the  mountains.  This  hope 


SURRENDER  OF  MOORISH  FORTRESSES.  845 


was  soon  at  an  end.  The  very  next  day,  they 
beheld  long  laborious  lines  of  ordnance  slowly 
moving  into  the  Spanish  camp,  lombards,  ribado- 
quines,  catapults,  and  cars  laden  with  munitions, 
— while  the  escort,  under  the  brave  master  of 
Alcantara,  wheeled  in  great  battalions  into  the 
camp,  to  augment  the  force  of  the  besiegers. 

The  intelligence  that  Granada  had  shut  its 
gates  against  El  Zagal,  and  that  no  reinforce- 
ments were  to  be  expected,  completed  the  despair 
of  the  inhabitants  ; even  Reduan  himself  lost  confi- 
dence, and  advised  capitulation. 

Ferdinand  granted  favorable  conditions,  for  he 
was  eager  to  proceed  against  Malaga.  The  in- 
habitants were  permitted  to  depart  with  their 
effects,  except  their  arms,  and  to  reside,  if  they 
chose  it,  in  Spain,  in  any  place  distant  from  the 
sea.  One  hundred  and  twenty  Christians,  of  both 
sexes,  were  rescued  from  captivity  by  the  surren- 
der, and  were  sent  to  Cordova,  where  they 
were  received  with  great  tenderness  by  the  queen 
and  her  daughter  the  Infanta  Isabella,  in  the 
famous  cathedral,  in  the  midst  of  public  rejoicings 
for  the  victory. 

The  capture  of  Velez  Malaga  was  followed  by 
the  surrender  of  Bentomiz,  Comares,  and  all  the 
towns  and  fortresses  of  the  Axarquia,  which  were 
strongly  garrisoned,  and  discreet  and  valiant  cava- 
liers appointed  as  their  alcaydes.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  nearly  forty  towns  of  the  Alpuxarra 
mountains,  also,  sent  deputations  to  the  Castilian 
sovereigns,  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  as  Mude- 
hares,  or  Moslem  vassals. 


346 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


About  the  same  time  came  letters  from  Boab- 
dil  el  Chico,  announcing  to  the  sovereigns  the  re- 
volution of  Granada  in  his  favor.  He  solicited 
kindness  and  protection  for  the  inhabitants  who 
had  returned  to  their  allegiance,  and  for  those  of 
all  other  places  which  should  renounce  adherence 
to  his  uncle.  By  this  means  (he  observed)  the 
whole  kingdom  of  Granada  would  soon  be  induced 
to  acknowledge  his  sway,  and  would  be  held  by 
him  in  faithful  vassalage  to  the  Castilian  crown. 

The  Catholic  sovereigns  complied  with  his  re- 
quest. Protection  was  immediately  extended  to. 
the  inhabitants  of  Granada,  permitting  them  to 
cultivate  their  fields  in  peace,  and  to  trade  with 
the  Christian  territories  in  all  articles  excepting 
arms  ; being  provided  with  letters  of  surety, 
from  some  Christian  captain  or  alcayde.  The 
same  favor  was  promised  to  all  other  places 
which,  within  six  months,  should  renounce  El 
Zagal  and  come  under  allegiance  to  the  younger 
king.  Should  they  not  do  so  within  that  time, 
the  sovereigns  threatened  to  make  war  upon 
them,  and  conquer  them  for  themselves.  This 
measure  had  a great  effect,  in  inducing  many  to 
return  to  the  standard  of  Boabdil. 

Having  made  every  necessary  arrangement  for 
the  government  and  security  of  the  newly  con- 
quered territory,  Ferdinand  turned  his  attention 
to  the  great  object  of  his  campaign,  the  reduction 
Df  Malaga. 


CHAPTER  LIL 


Of  the  City  of  Malaga,  and  its  Inhabitants.  — Mission  of 
Hernando  del  Pulgar.  , 

HE  city  of  Malaga  lies  in  the  lap  of  a 
fertile  valley,  surrounded  by  mountains, 
excepting  on  the  part  which  lies  open 
to  the  sea.  As  it  was  one  of  the  most  important, 
so  it  was  one  of  the  strongest,  cities  of  the 
Moorish  kingdom.  It  was  fortified  by  walls  of 
prodigious  strength,  studded  with  a great  number 
of  huge  towers.  On  the  land  side,  it  was  pro- 
tected by  a natural  barrier  of  mountains  ; and  on 
the  other,  the  waves  of  the  Mediterranean  beat 
against  the  foundations  of  its  massive  bulwarks. 

At  one  end  of  the  city,  near  the  sea,  on  a high 
mound,  stood  the  Alcazaba  or  citadel,  a for- 
tress of  great  strength.  Immediately  above  this, 
rose  a steep  and  rocky  mount,  on  the  top  of 
which,  in  old  times,  had  been  a pharos  or  light- 
house, from  which  the  height  derived  its  name  of 
Gibralfaro.^  It  was  at  present  crowned  by  an 
immense  castle,  which,  from  its  lofty  and  cragged 
situation,  its  vast  walls  and  mighty  towers,  was 
deemed  impregnable.  It  communicated  with  the 
Alcazaba  by  a covered  way,  six  paces  broad, 
leading  down  between  two  walls,  along  the  profile 
1 A corruption  of  Gihd-favo^  the  hill  of  the  light-house. 


848 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


or  ridge  of  the  rock.  The  castle  of  Gibralfaro 
commanded  both  citadel  and  city,  and  was  capable, 
if  both  were  taken,  of  maintaining  a siege.  Two 
large  suburbs  adjoined  the  city  : in  the  one  to- 
wards the  sea,  were  the  dwelling-houses  of  the 
most  opulent  inhabitants,  adorned  with  hanging 
gardens  ; the  other,  on  the  land  side,  was  thickly 
peopled,  and  surrounded  by  strong  walls  and 
towers. 

Malaga  possessed  a brave  and  numerous  garri- 
son, and  the  common  people  were  active,  hardy, 
and  resolute ; but  the  city  was  rich  and  com- 
mercial, and  under  the  habitual  control  of  num- 
erous opulent  merchants,  who  dreaded  the  ruinous 
consequences  of  a siege.  They  were  little  zeal- 
ous for  the  warlike  renown  of  their  city,  and 
longed  rather  to  participate  in  the  enviable  se- 
curity of  property,  and  the  lucrative  privileges  of 
safe  traffic  with  the  Christian  territories,  granted 
to  all  places  which  declared  for  Boabdil.  At  the 
head  of  these  gainful  citizens  was  Ali  Dordux,  a 
mighty  merchant  of  uncounted  wealth,  connected, 
it  is  said  with  the  royal  family  of  Granada,  whose 
ships  traded  to  every  part  of  the  Levant,  and 
whose  word  was  as  a law  in  Malaga.  Ali  Dor- 
dux  assembled  the  most  opulent  and  important 
of  his  commercial  brethren,  and  they  repaired  in 
a body  to  the  Alcazaba,  where  they  were  received 
by  the  alcayde,  Aben  Comixa,  with  that  deference 
generally  shown  to  men  of  their  great  local 
dignity  and  power  of  purse.  Ali  Dordux  was 
ample  and  stately  in  his  form,  and  fluent  and 
emphatic  in  his  discourse  ; his  eloquence  had  an 


BAMET  EL  ZEGRL 


349 


effect  therefore  upon  the  alcayde,  as  he  represented 
the  hopelessness  of  a defense  of  Malaga,  the 
misery  that  must  attend  a siege,  and  the  ruin  that 
must  follow  a capture  by  force  of  arms.  On  the 
other  hand,  he  set  forth  the  grace  that  might  be 
obtained  from  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  by  an 
early  and  voluntary  acknowledgement  of  Boabdil 
as  king  ; the  peaceful  possession  of  their  property, 
and  the  profitable  commerce  with  the  Christian 
ports,  that  would  be  allowed  them.  He  was 
seconded  by  his  weighty  and  important  coadju- 
tors ; and  the  alcayde,  accustomed  to  regard  them 
as  the  arbiters  of  the  affairs  of  the  place,  yielded 
to  their  united  counsels.  He  departed,  therefore, 
with  all  speed,  to  the  Christian  camp,  empowered 
to  arrange  a capitulation  with  the  Castilian  mon- 
arch ; and  in  the  mean  time,  his  brother  remained 
in  command  of  the  Alcazaba. 

There  was  at  this  time,  as  alcayde,  in  the  old 
crag-built  castle  of  Gibralfaro,  a warlike  and  fiery 
Moor,  an  implacable  enemy  of  the  Christians. 
This  was  no  other  than  Hamet  Zeli,  surnamed  El 
Zegri,  the  once  formidable  alcayde  of  Ronda,  and 
the  terror  of  its  mountains.  He  had  never  for- 
given the  capture  of  his  favorite  fortress,  and 
panted  for  vengeance  on  the  Christians.  Notwith- 
standing his  reverses,  he  had  retained  the  favor 
of  El  Zagal,  who  knew  how  to  appreciate  a bold 
warrior  of  the  kind,  and  had  placed  him  in  com- 
mand of  this  important  fortress  of  Gibralfaro. 

Hamet  el  Zegri  had  gathered  round  him  the 
remnant  of  his  band  of  Gomeres,  with  others  of 
the  same  tribe,  recently  arrived  from  Morocco. 


S50 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


These  fierce  warriors  were  nestled,  like  so  many 
war-hawks,  about  their  lofty  cliff.  They  looked 
down  with  martial  contempt  upon  the  commercial 
city  of  Malaga,  which  they  were  placed  to  protect ; 
or  rather,  they  esteemed  it  only  for  its  military 
importance,  and  its  capability  of  defense.  They 
held  no  communion  with  its  trading,  gainful  inhabi 
tants,  and  even  considered  the  garrison  of  the  Al- 
cazaba  their  inferiors.  War  was  their  pursuit  and 
passion  ; they  rejoiced  in  its  turbulent  and  per- 
ilous scenes ; and,  confident  in  the  strength  of  the 
city,  and,  above  all,  of  their  castle,  they  set  at  de- 
fiance the  menace  of  Christian  invasion.  There 
were  among  them,  also,  many  apostate  Moors, 
who  had  once  embraced  Christianity,  but  had 
since  recanted,  and  fled  from  the  vengeance  of  the 
Inquisition.^  These  were  desperadoes,  who  had 
no  mercy  to  expect,  should  they  again  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Such  were  the  fierce  elements  of  the  garrison 
of  Gibralfaro ; and  its  rage  may  easily  be  con- 
ceived, at  hearing  that  Malaga  was  to  be  given  up 
without  a blow;  that  they  were  to  sink  into  Chris- 
tian vassals,  under  the  intermediate  sway  of  Boab- 
dil  el  Chico ; and  that  the  alcayde  of  the  Al- 
cazaba  had  departed,  to  arrange  the  terms  of  ca- 
pitulation. 

Hamet  determined  to  avert,  by  desperate  means, 
the  threatened  degradation.  He  knew  that  there 
was  a large  party  in  the  city  faithful  to  El  Zagal, 
being  composed  of  warlike  men,  who  had  taken 
refuge  from  the  various  mountain  towns  which 
1 Zurita,  lib.  30,  cap.  71. 


ACTS  OF  HAMET. 


351 


had  been  captured  ; their  feelings  were  desperate 
as  their  fortunes,  and,  like  Hainet,  they  panted 
for  revenge  upon  the  Christians.  With  these  he 
had  a secret  conference,  and  received  assurance 
of  their  adherence  to  him  in  any  measures  of  de- 
fense. As  to  the  counsel  of  the  peaceful  inhabi- 
tants, he  considered  it  unworthy  the  consideration 
of  a soldier ; and  he  spurned  at  the  interference  of 
the  wealthy  merchant  Ali  Dordux,  in  matters  of 
warfare. 

“ Still,”  said  Hamet  el  Zegri,  “ let  us  proceed 
regularly.”  So  he  descended  with  his  Gomeres 
to  the  citadel,  entered  it  suddenly,  put  to  death 
the  brother  of  the  alcayde,  and  such  of  the  gar- 
rison as  made  any  demur,  and  then  summoned 
the  principal  inhabitants  of  Malaga,  to  deliberate 
on  measures  for  the  welfare  of  the  city.^  The 
wealthy  merchants  again  mounted  to  the  citadel 
excepting  Ali  Dordux,  who  refused  to  obey  the* 
summons.  They  entered  with  hearts  filled  with 
awe,  for  they  found  Hamet  surrounded  by  his 
grim  African  guard,  and  all  the  stern  array  of 
military  power,  and  they  beheld  the  bloody  traces 
of  the  recent  massacre. 

Hamet  rolled  a dark  and  searching  eye  upon 
the  assembly.  “ Who,”  said  he,  “ is  loyal  and  de- 
voted to  Muley  Abdallah  el  Zagal  ? ” Every  one 
present  asserted  his  loyalty.  “ Good ! ” said 
Hamet ; “ and  who  is  ready  to  prove  his  devotion 
to  his  sovereign,  by  defending  this  his  important 
city  to  the  last  extremity?”  Every  one  present 
declared  his  readiness.  “ Enough  1 ” observed 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios,  c.  82. 


352 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Hamet ; the  alcayde  Aben  Comixa  has  proved 
himself  a traitor  to  his  sovereign,  and  to  you  all ; 
for  he  has  conspired  to  deliver  the  place  to  the 
Christians.  It  behooves  you  to  choose  some  other 
commander,  capable  of  defending  your  city  against 
the  approaching  enemy.”  The  assembly  declared 
unanimously,  that  no  one  was  so  worthy  of  the 
command  as  himself.  So  Hamet  was  appointed 
alcayde  of  Malaga,  and  immediately  proceeded 
to  man  the  forts  and  towers  with  his  partisans 
and  to  make  every  preparation  for  a desperate 
resistance. 

Intelligence  of  these  occurrences  put  an  end 
to  the  negotiations  between  king  Ferdinand  and 
the  superseded  alcayde  Aben  Comixa,  and  it  was 
supposed  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  lay  siege 
to  the  place.  The  marques  of  Cadiz,  however, 
found  at  Velez  a Moorish  cavalier  of  some  note, 
a native  of  Malaga,  who  offered  to  tamper  with 
Hamet  el  Zegri  for  the  surrender  of  the  city,  or 
at  least  of  the  castle  of  Gibralfaro.  The  marques 
communicated  this  to  the  king  ; I put  this  busi- 
ness, and  the  key  of  my  treasury,  into  your  hands,” 
said  Ferdinand ; “ act,  stipulate,  and  disburse,  in 
my  name,  as  you  think  proper.” 

The  marques  armed  the  Moor  with  his  own 
lance,  cuirass,  and  target,  and  mounted  him  on 
one  of  his  own  horses.  He  equipped  in  similar 
style,  also,  another  Moor,  his  companion  and  rel- 
ative. Tliey  bore  secret  letters  to  Hamet  from 
the  marques,  offering  him  the  town  of  Coin  in 
perpetual  inheritance,  and  four  thousand  doblas 
in  gold,  if  he  would  deliver  up  Gibralfaro;  to- 


BRIBERY  PROPOSED. 


353 


gether  with  a farm  and  two  thousand  doblas  for 
his  lieutenant  Ibrahim  Zenete,  and  large  sums  to 
be  distributed  among  his  officers  and  soldiers ; 
and  he  offered  unlimited  rewards  for  the  surrender 
of  the  city. 

Hamet  had  a warrior’s  admiration  of  the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz,  and  received  his  messengers  with 
courtesy  in  his  fortress  of  Gibralfaro.  He  even 
listened  to  their  propositions  with  patience,  and 
dismissed  them  in  safety,  though  with  an  absolute 
refusal.  The  marques  thought  his  reply  was  not 
so  peremptory  as  to  discourage  another  effort. 
The  emissaries  were  dispatched,  therefore,  a sec- 
ond time,  with  further  propositions.  They  ap- 
proached Malaga  in  the  night,  but  found  the 
guards  doubled,  patrols  abroad,  and  the  whole 
place  on  the  alert.  They  were  discovered,  pur- 
sued, and,  only  saved  themselves  by  the  fleetness 
of  their  steeds,  and  their  knowledge  of  the  passes 
of  the  mountains.^ 

Finding  all  attempts  to  tamper  with  the  faith 
of  Hamet  utterly  futile,  king  Ferdinand  publicly 
summoned  the  city  to  surrender,  offering  the  most 
favorable  terms  in  case  of  immediate  compliance ; 
but  threatening  captivity  to  all  the  inhabitants, 
in  case  of  resistance. 

It  required  a man  of  nerve  to  undertake  the 
delivery  of  such  a summons  in  the  present  heated 
and  turbulent  state  of  the  Moorish  community. 
Such  a one  stepped  forward  in  the  person  of  a 
cavalier  of  the  royal  guards,  Hernan  Perez  del 
Pulgar  by  name,  a youth  of  noble  descent,  who 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  MS.,  c.  82. 


354 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


had  already  signalized  himself  by  his  romantic 
valor  and  daring  enterprise.  Furnished  with 
official  papers  for  Hamet  el  Zegri  and  a private 
letter  from  the  king  to  Ali  Dordux,  he  entered 
the  gates  of  Malaga  under  the  protection  of  a 
flag,  and  boldly  delivered  his  summons  in  presence 
of  the  principal  inhabitants.  The  language  of 
the  summons,  or  the  tone  in  which  it  was  de- 
livered, exasperated  the  fiery  spirit  of  the  Moors, 
and  it  required  all  the  energy  of  Hamet  and  the 
influence  of  several  of  the  alfaquis,  to  prevent  an 
outrage  to  the  person  of  the  ambassador.  The 
reply  of  Hamet  was  haughty  and  decided.  The 
city  of  Malaga  has  been  confided  to  me,”  said  he, 
‘‘  not  to  be  surrendered,  but  defended,  and  the 
king  shall  witness  how  I acquit  myself  of  my 
charge.”  ^ 

His  mission  at  an  end,  Hernan  del  Pulgar 
rode  slowly  and  deliberately  through  the  city, 
utterly  regardless  of  the  scowls  and  menaces,  and 
scarcely  restrained  turbulence  of  the  multitude, 
and  bore  to  Ferdinand  at  Yelez  the  haughty 
answer  of  the  Moor ; but  at  the  same  time  gave 
him  a formidable  account  of  the  force  of  the  gar- 
rison, the  strength  of  the  fortifications,  and  the 
determined  spirit  of  the  commander  and  his  men. 
The  king  immediately  sent  orders  to  have  the 
heavy  artillery  forwarded  from  Antiquera  ; and, 
on  the  7th  of  May,  marched  with  his  army 
towards  Malaga. 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  74. 


CHAPTER  LIII. 


Advance  of  King  Ferdinand  against  Malaga. 


HE  army  of  Ferdinand  advanced  in 
lengthened  line,  glittering  along  the  foot 
of  the  mountains  which  border  the 
Mediterranean ; while  a fleet  of  vessels,  freighted 
with  heavy  artillery  and  warlike  munitions,  kept 
pace  with  it  at  a short  distance  from  the  land, 
covering  the  sea  with  a thousand  gleaming  sails. 
When  Hamet  el  Zegri  saw  this  force  approaching, 
he  set  Are  to  the  houses  of  the  suburbs  which 
adjoined  the  walls,  and  sent  forth  three  battalions 
to  encounter  the  advance  guard  of  the  enemy. 

The  Christian  army  drew  near  to  the  city,  at 
that  end  where  the  castle  and  rocky  height  of 
Gibralfaro  defend  the  seabord.  Immediately  op- 
posite, at  about  two  bow-shots  distance,  stood 
the  castle  ; and  between  it  and  the  high  chain  of 
mountains,  was  a steep  and  rocky  hill,  at  present 
called  the  hill  of  St.  Christobal,  commanding  a 
pass  through  which  the  Christians  must  march  to 
penetrate  to  the  vega  and  surround  the  city. 
Hamet  ordered  the  three  battalions  to  take  their 
stations,  one  on  this  hill,  another  in  the  pass  near 
the  castle,  and  a third  on  the  side  of  the  mountain 
near  the  sea. 


356 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


A body  of  Spanish  foot-soldiers,  of  the  advance 
guard,  sturdy  mountaineers  of  Galicia,  sprang 
forward  to  climb  the  side  of  the  height  next  the 
sea  ; at  the  same  time,  a number  of  cavaliers  and 
hidalgos  of  the  royal  household  attacked  the 
Moors  who  guarded  the  pass  below.  The  Moors 
defended  their  posts  with  obstinate  valor.  The 
Galicians  were  repeatedly  overpowered  and  driven 
down  the  hill,  but  as  often  rallied,  and  being 
reinforced  by  the  hidalgos  and  cavaliers,  returned 
to  the  assault.  This  obstinate  struggle  lasted  for 
six  hours  : the  strife  was  of  a deadly  kind,  not 
merely  with  cross-bows  and  arquebuses,  but 
hand  to  hand,  with  swords  and  daggers  ; no  quar- 
ter was  claimed  or  given,  on  either  side  — they 
fought  not  to  make  captives,  but  to  slay.  It  was 
but  the  advance  of  the  Christian  army,  that  was 
engaged  ; so  narrow  was  the  pass  along  the  coast, 
that  the  army  could  proceed  only  in  file : horse 
and  foot,  and  beasts  of  burden,  were  crowded  one 
upon  another,  impeding  each  other,  and  blocking 
up  the  narrow  and  rugged  defile.  The  soldiers 
heard  the  uproar  of  the  battle,  the  sound  of 
trumpets,  and  the  war-cries  of  the  Moors  — but 
tried  in  vain  to  press  forward  to  the  assistance  of 
their  companions. 

At  length  a body  of  foot-soldiers  of  the  Holy 
Brotherhood  climbed,  with  great  difficulty,  the 
steep  side  of  the  mountain  which  overhung  the 
pass,  and  advanced  with  seven  banners  displayed. 
The  Moors,  seeing  this  force  above  them,  aban- 
doned the  pass  in  despair.  The  battle  was  still 
raging  on  the  height ; the  Galicians,  though  sup- 


INVESTMENT  OF  MALAGA. 


857 


ported  by  Castilian  troops  under  Don  Hurtado  de 
Mendoza  and  Garcilasso  de  la  Vega,  were  se- 
verely pressed  and  roughly  handled  by  the  Moors ; 
at  length  a brave  standard-bearer,  Luys  Mazeda 
by  name,  threw  himself  into  the  midst  of  the 
enemy,  and  planted  his  banner  on  the  summit. 
The  Galicians  and  Castilians,  stimulated  by  this 
noble  self-devotion,  followed  him,  fighting  des- 
perately, and  the  Moors  were  at  length  driven  to 
their  castle  of  Gibralfaro.^ 

This  important  height  being  taken,  the  pass  lay 
open  to  the  army ; but  by  this  time  evening  was 
advancing,  and  the  host  was  too  weary  and  ex- 
hausted to  seek  proper  situations  for  the  encamp- 
ment. The  king,  attended  by  several  grandees 
and  cavaliers,  went  the  rounds  at  night,  stationing 
outposts  towards  the  city,  and  guards  and  patrols 
to  give  the  alarm  on  the  least  movement  of  the 
enemy.  All  night  the  Christians  lay  upon  their 
arms,  lest  there  should  be  some  attempt  to  sally 
forth  and  attack  them. 

When  the  morning  dawned,  the  king  gazed 
with  admiration  at  this  city,  which  he  hoped  soon 
to  add  to  his  dominions.  It  was  surrounded  on 
one  side  by  vineyards,  gardens,  and  orchard‘% 
which  covered  the  hills  with  verdure ; on  the 
other  side,  its  walls  were  bathed  by  the  smooth 
and  tranquil  sea.  Its  vast  and  lofty  towers  and 
prodigious  castles,  hoary  with  age,  yet  unimpared 
in  strength,  showed  the  labors  of  magnanimous 
men  in  former  times  to  protect  their  favorite 
abode.  Hanging  gardens,  groves  of  oranges,  cit- 
i Pulgar,  Cronica, 


358 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


rons,  and  pomegranates,  with  the  cedars  and  stately 
palms,  were  mingled  with  the  stern  battlements 
and  towers  — bespeaking  the  opulence  and  luxury 
that  reigned  within. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Christian  army  poured 
through  the  pass,  and  throwing  out  its  columns 
and  extending  its  lines,  took  possession  of  every 
vantage  ground  around  the  city.  King  Fer- 
dinand surveyed  the  ground,  and  appointed  the 
stations  of  the  different  commanders. 

The  important  mount  of  St.  Christobal,  which 
had  cost  so  violent  a struggle,  and  faced  the  pow- 
erful fortress  of  Gibralfaro,  was  given  in  charge  to 
Roderigo  Ponce  de  Leon,  marques  of  Cadiz,  who, 
in  all  sieges,  claimed  the  post  of  danger.  He  had 
several  noble  cavaliers  with  their  retainers  in  his 
encampment,  which  consisted  of  fifteen  hundred 
horse  and  fourteen  thousand  foot ; and  extended 
from  the  summit  of  the  mount  to  the  margin  of 
the  sea,  completely  blocking  up  the  approach  to 
the  city  on  that  side.  From  this  post,  a line  of 
encampments  extended  quite  round  the  city  to 
the  sea-board,  fortified  by  bulwarks  and  deep 
ditches  ; while  a fieet  of  armed  ships  and  galleys 
stretched  before  the  harbor  ; so  that  the  place  was 
completely  invested,  by  sea  and  land.  The  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  valley  now  resounded  with  the 
din  of  preparation,  and  were  filled  with  artificers 
preparing  warlike  engines  and  munitions  : armor- 
ers and  smiths,  with  glowing  forges  and  deafening 
hammers  ; carpenters  and  engineers,  constructing 
machines  wherewith  to  assail  the  walls  ; stone- 
cutters, shaping  stone  balls  for  the  ordnance ; and 


EXULTING  DESCRIPTION  OF  AGAPIDA.  359 

burners  of  charcoal,  preparing  fuel  for  the  furnaces 
and  forges. 

When  the  encampment  was  formed,  the  heavy 
ordnance  was  landed  from  the  ships,  and  mounted 
in  various  parts  of  the  camp.  Five  huge  lom- 
bards were  placed  on  the  mount  commanded  by 
the  marques  of  Cadiz,  so  as  to  bear  upon  the 
castle  of  Gibralfaro. 

The  Moors  made  strenuous  efforts  to  impede 
these  preparations.  They  kept  up  a heavy  fire 
from  their  ordnance,  upon  the  men  employed  in 
digging  trenches  or  constructing  batteries,  so  that 
the  latter  had  to  work  principally  in  the  night. 
The  royal  tents  had  been  stationed  conspicuously, 
and  within  reach  of  the  Moorish  batteries  ; but 
were  so  warmly  assailed,  that  they  had  to  be  re- 
moved behind  a hill. 

When  the  works  were  completed,  the  Christian 
batteries  opened  in  return,  and  kept  up  a tremen- 
dous cannonade  ; while  the  fleet,  approaching  the 
land,  assailed  the  city  vigorously  on  the  opposite 
side. 

It  was  a glorious  and  delectable  sight,”  ob- 
serves Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  “ to  behold  this 
infidel  city  thus  surrounded  by  sea  and  land, 
by  a mighty  Christian  force.  Every  mound  in 
its  circuit  was,  as  it  were,  a little  city  of  tents, 
bearing  the  standard  of  some  renowned  Catholic 
warrior.  Beside  the  warlike  ships  and  galleys 
which  lay  before  the  place,  the  sea  was  covered 
with  innumerable  sails,  passing  and  repassing, 
appearing  and  disappearing,  being  engaged  in 
bringing  supplies  for  the  subsistence  of  the  array 


360 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


It  seemed  a vast  spectacle  contrived  to  recreate 
the  eye,  did  not  the  volleying  bursts  of  flame  and 
smoke  from  the  ships,  which  seemed  to  lie  asleep 
on  the  quiet  sea,  and  the  thunder  of  ordnance 
from  camp  and  city,  from  tower  and  battlement, 
tell  the  deadly  warfare  that  was  waging. 

At  night,  the  scene  was  far  more  direful  than 
in  the  day.  The  cheerful  light  of  the  sun  was 
gone  ; there  was  nothing  but  the  flashes  of  artil- 
lery, or  the  baleful  gleams  of  combustibles  thrown 
into  the  city,  and  the  conflagration  of  the  houses. 
The  fire  kept  up  from  the  Christian  batteries  was 
incessant  ; there  were  seven  great  lombards  in 
particular,  called  The  Seven  Sisters  of  Ximenes, 
which  did  tremendous  execution.  The  Moorish 
ordnance  replied  in  thunder  from  the  walls  : Gib- 
ralfaro  was  wrapped  in  volumes  of  smoke,  rolling 
about  its  base ; and  Hamet  and  his  Gomeres 
looked  out  with  triumph  upon  the  tempest  of  war 
they  had  awaked.  Truly  they  were  so  many 
demons  incarnate,”  concludes  the  pious  Fray  An- 
tonio Agapida,  “ who  were  permitted  by  Heaven 
to  enter  into  and  possess  this  infidel  city,  for  its 
perdition.” 


CHAPTER  LIV 

Siege  of  Malaga. 

HE  attack  on  Malaga,  by  sea  and  land, 
was  kept  up  for  several  days  with  tre- 
mendous violence,  but  without  produ- 
cing any  great  impression,  so  strong  were  the 
ancient  bulwarks*of  the  city.  The  count  de  Ci- 
fuentes  was  the  first  to  signalize  himself  by  any 
noted  achievement.  A main  tower,  protecting 
what  is  at  present  called  the  suburb  of  Santa 
Ana,  had  been  shattered  by  the  ordnance,  and 
the  battlements  demolished,  so  as  to  yield  no 
shelter  to  its  defenders.  Seeing  this,  the  count 
assembled  a gallant  band  of  cavaliers  of  the  royal 
household,  and  advanced  to  take  it  by  storm. 
They  applied  scaling  ladders,  and  mounted,  sword 
in  hand.  The  Moors,  having  no  longer  battle- 
ments to  protect  them,  descended  to  a lower  fioor, 
and  made  furious  resistance  from  the  windows 
and  loopholes.  They  poured  down  boiling  pitch 
and  rosin,  and  hurled  stones,  and  darts,  and  ar- 
rows, on  the  assailants.  Many  of  the  Christian? 
were  slain,  their  ladders  were  destroyed  by  flam 
ing  combustibles,  and  the  count  was  obliged  to 
retreat  from  before  the  tower.  On  the  following 
day  he  renewed  the  attack  with  superior  force, 


362 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA, 


and,  after  a severe  combat,  succeeded  in  planting 
his  victorious  banner  on  the  tower. 

The  Moors  now  assailed  the  tower  in  their 
turn.  They  undermined  the  part  towards  the 
city,  placed  props  of  wood  under  the  foundation, 
and,  setting  fire  to  them,  drew  off  to  a distance. 
In  a little  while  the  props  gave  way,  the  founda- 
tion sunk,  and  the  tower  was  rent ; part  of  its 
wall  fell,  with  a tremendous  noise ; many  of  the 
Christians  were  thrown  out  headlong,  and  the 
rest  were  laid  open  to  the  missiles  of  the  enemy. 

By  this  time,  however,  a breach  had  been  made 
in  the  wall  of  the  suburb  adjoining  the  tower, 
and  troops  poured  in  to  the  assistance  of  their 
comrades.  A continued  battle  was  kept  up  for 
two  days  and  a night,  by  reinforcements  from 
camp  and  city.  The  parties  fought  backwards 
and  forwards  through  the  breach  of  the  wall,  and 
in  the  narrow  and  winding  streets  adjacent,  with 
alternate  success  ; and  the  vicinity  of  the  tower 
was  strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded.  At 
length  the  Moors  gradually  gave  way,  disputing 
every  inch  of  ground,  until  they  were  driven  into 
the  city ; and  the  Christians  remained  masters  of 
the  greater  part  of  the  suburb. 

This  partial  success,  though  gained  with  great 
toil  and  bloodshed,  gave  temporary  animation  to 
the  Christians  ; they  soon  found,  however,  that 
the  attack  on  the  main  works  of  the  city  was  a 
much  more  arduous  task.  The  garrison  contained 
veterans  who  had  served  in  many  of  the  towns 
captured  by  the  Christians.  They  were  no  lon- 
ger confounded  and  dismayed  by  the  battering 


DESERTERS  TO  TEE  MOORS. 


363 


ordnance  and  other  strange  engines  of  foreign 
invention,  and  had  become  expert  in  parrying 
their  effects,  in  repairing  breaches,  and  erecting 
counter-works. 

The  Christians,  accustomed  of  late  to  speedy 
conquests  of  Moorish  fortresses,  become  impatient 
of  the  slow  progress  of  the  siege.  Many  were 
apprehensive  of  a scarcity  of  provisons,  from  the 
difficulty  of  subsisting  so  numerous  a host  in  the 
heart  of  the  enemy’s  country,  where  it  was  nec- 
essary to  transport  supplies  across  rugged  and 
hostile  mountains,  or  subjected  to  the  uncertain- 
ties of  the  sea.  Many  also  were  alarmed  at  a 
pestilence  which  broke  out  in  the  neighboring 
villages  ; and  some  were  so  overcome  by  these 
apprehensions,  as  to  abandon  the  camp  and  return 
to  their  homes. 

Several  of  the  loose  and  worthless  hangers-on 
that  infest  all  great  armies,  hearing  these  mur- 
murs, thought  that  the  siege  would  soon  be  raised, 
and  deserted  to  the  enemj^,  hoping  to  make  their 
fortunes.  They  gave  exaggerated  accounts  of 
the  alarms  and  discontents  of  the  army,  and  rep- 
resented the  troops  as  daily  returning  home  in 
bands.  Above  all  they  declared  that  the  gun- 
powder was  nearly  exhausted,  so  that  the  artillery 
would  soon  be  useless.  They  assured  the  Moors, 
therefore,  that  if  they  persisted  a little  longer  in 
their  defense,  the  king  would  be  obliged  to  draw 
off  his  forces  and  abandon  the  siege. 

The  reports  of  these  renegadoes  gave  fresh 
courage  to  the  garrison  ; they  made  vigorous  sal- 
lies upon  the  camp,  harassing  it  by  night  and 


364 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA 


day,  and  obliging  every  part  to  be  guarded  with 
the  most  painful  vigilance.  They  fortified  the 
weak  parts  of  their  walls  with  ditches  and  pali- 
sadoes,  and  gave  every  manifestation  of  a deter- 
mined and  unyielding  spirit. 

Ferdinand  soon  received  intelligence  of  the  re- 
ports which  had  been  carried  to  the  Moors  ; he 
understood  that  they  had  been  informed,  likewise, 
that  the  queen  was  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  the 
camp,  and  had  written  repeatedly  urging  him  to 
abandon  the  siege.  As  the  best  means  of  dis- 
proving all  these  falsehoods,  and  destroying  the 
vain  hopes  of  the  enemy,  he  wrote  to  the  queen, 
entreating  her  to  come  and  take  up  her  residence 
in  the  camp. 


CHAPTER  LV. 


Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Obstinacy  of  Hamet  el  Zegri. 


ilREAT  was  the  enthusiasm  of  the  army, 
when  they  beheld  their  patriot  queen 
^ advancing  in  state,  to  share  the  toils  and 
dangers  of  her  people.  Isabella  entered  the 
camp,  attended  by  the  dignitaries  and  the  whole 
retinue  of  her  court,  to  manifest  that  this  was  no 
temporary  visit.  On  one  side  of  her  was  her 
daughter,  the  Infanta ; on  the  other,  the  grand 
cardinal  of  Spain  ; Hernando  de  Talavere,  the 
prior  of  Prado,  confessor  to  the  queen,  followed, 
with  a great  train  of  prelates,  courtiers,  cavaliers, 
and  ladies  of  distinction.  The  cavalcade  moved 
in  calm  and  stately  order  through  the  camp,  soft- 
ening the  iron  aspect  of  war  by  this  array  of 
courtly  grace  and  female  beauty. 

Isabella  had  commanded,  that  on  her  coming 
to  the  camp,  the  horrors  of  war  should  be  sus- 
pended, and  fresh  offers  of  peace  made  to  the 
enemy.  On  her  arrival,  therefore,  there  had 
been  a general  cessation  of  firing  throughout  the 
camp.  A messenger  was,  at  the  same  time,  dis- 
patched to  the  besieged,  informing  them  of  her 
being  in  the  camp,  and  of  the  determination  of 
the  sovereigns  to  make  it  tlieir  settled  residence 


366 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


until  the  city  should  be  taken.  The  same  terms 
were  offered,  in  case  of  immediate  surrender,  that 
had  been  granted  to  Velez  Malaga ; but  the  in- 
habitants were  threatened  with  captivity  and  the 
sword,  should  they  persist  in  their  defense. 

Hamet  el  Zegri  received  this  message  with 
haughty  contempt,  and  dismissed  the  messenger 
without  deigning  a reply,  and  accompanied  by  an 
escort  to  prevent  his  holding  any  communication 
with  the  inhabitants  in  the  streets.  “ The  Chris- 
tian sovereigns,”  said  Hamet  to  those  about  him, 
have  made  this  offer  in  consequence  of  their  de- 
spair. The  silence  of  their  batteries  proves  the 
truth  of  what  has  been  told  us,  that  their  powder 
is  exhausted.  They  have  no  longer  the  means  of 
demolishing  our  walls  ; and  if  they  remain  much 
longer,  the  autumnal  rains  will  interrupt  their 
convoys,  and  fill  their  camp  with  famine  and  dis- 
ease. The  first  storm  will  disperse  their  fleet, 
which  has  no  neighboring  port  of  shelter  : Africa 
will  then  be  open  to  us,  to  procure  reinforce- 
ments and  supplies.” 

The  words  of  Hamet  el  Zegri  were  hailed  as 
oracular,  by  his  adherents.  Many  of  the  peace^ 
ful  part  of  the  community,  however,  ventured  to 
remonstrate,  and  to  implore  him  to  accept  the 
proffered  mercy.  The  stern  Hamet  silenced  them 
with  a terrific  threat : he  declared,  that  whoever 
should  talk  of  capitulating,  or  should  hold  any 
communication  with  the  Christians  should  be  put 
to  death.  The  Gomeres,  like  true  men  of  the 
sword,  acted  upon  the  menace  of  their  chieftain 
as  upon  a written  law,  and  haviiig  detected  sev- 


CONTINUANCE  OF  THE  SIEGE.  367 


eral  of  the  inhabitants  in  secret  correspondence 
with  the  enemy,  set  upon  and  slew  them,  and 
confiscated  their  effects.  This  struck  such  ter- 
ror into  the  citizens,  that  those  who  had  been 
loudest  in  their  murmurs  became  suddenly  mute, 
and  were  remarked  as  evincing  the  greatest  bus- 
tle and  alacrity  in  the  defense  of  the  city. 

When  the  messenger  returned  to  the  camp,  and 
reported  the  contemptuous  reception  of  the  royal 
message,  King  Ferdinand  was  exceedingly  indig- 
nant. Finding  the  cessation  of  firing,  on  the 
queen’s  arrival,  had  encouraged  a belief  among  the 
enemy  that  there  was  a scarcity  of  powder  in  the 
camp,  he  ordered  a general  discharge  from  all  the 
batteries.  The  sudden  burst  of  war  from  every 
quarter  soon  convinced  the  Moors  of  their  error, 
and  completed  the  confusion  of  the  citizens,  who 
knew  not  which  most  to  dread,  their  assailants  or 
their  defenders,  the  Christians  or  the  Gomeres. 

That  evening  the  sovereigns  visited  the  en- 
campment of  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  which  com- 
manded a view  over  a great  part  of  the  city,  the 
camp,  and  the  sea  with  its  flotillas.  The  tent  of 
the  marques  was  of  great  magnitude,  furnished 
with  hangings  of  rich  brocade  and  French  cloth 
of  the  rarest  texture.  It  was  in  the  oriental 
style ; and,  as  it  crowned  the  height,  with  the 
surrounding  tents  of  other  cavaliers,  all  sump- 
tuously furnished,  presented  a gay  and  silken 
contrast  to  the  opposite  towers  of  Gibralfaro. 
Here  a splendid  collation  was  served  up  to  the 
sovereigns,  and  the  courtly  revel  that  prevailed  in 
this  chivalrous  encampment,  the  glitter  of  pagean- 


368 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


try,  and  the  bursts  of  festive  music,  made  more 
striking  the  gloom  and  silence  that  reigned  over 
the  Moorish  castle. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz,  while  it  was  yet  light, 
conducted  his  royal  visitors  to  every  point  that 
commanded  a view  of  the  warlike  scene  below. 
He  caused  the  heavy  lombards  also  to  be  dis- 
charged, that  the  queen  and  ladies  of  the  court 
might  witness  the  effect  of  those  tremendous  en- 
gines. The  fair  dames  were  filled  with  awe  and 
admiration,  as  the  mountain  shook  beneath  their 
feet  with  the  thunder  of  the  artillery,  and  they 
beheld  great  fragments  of  the  Moorish  walls 
tumbling  down  the  rocks  and  precipices. 

While  the  good  marques  was  displaying  these 
things  to  his  royal  guests,  he  lifted  up  his  eyes, 
and  to  his  astonishment  beheld  his  own  banner 
hanging  out  from  the  nearest  tower  of  Gibralfkro. 
The  blood  mantled  in  his  cheek,  for  it  was  a ban- 
ner he  had  lost  at  the  time  of  the  memorable 
massacre  of  the  heiglits  of  Malaga.^  To  make 
this  taunt  more  evident,  several  of  the  Gomeres 
displayed  themselves  upon  the  battlements,  ar- 
rayed in  the  helmets  and  cuirasses  of  some  of  the 
cavaliers  slain  or  captured  on  that  occasion.  The 
marques  of  Cadiz  restrained  his  indignation,  and 
held  his  peace;  but  several  of- his  cavaliers  vowed 
loudly  to  revenge  this  cruel  bravado,  on  the  fero- 
cious garrison  of  Gibralfaro. 

1 Diego  de  Valera,  Cronica^  MS. 


CHAPTEB  LVL 

Attack  of  the  Marques  of  Cadiz  upon  Gibralfaro. 


HE  marques  of  Cadk  was  not  a cavalier 
that  readily  forgave  an  injury  or  an  in- 
sult. On  the  morning  after  the  royal 
banquet,  his  batteries  opened  a tremendous  fire 
upon  Gibralfaro.  All  day,  the  encampment  was 
wrapped  in  wreaths  of  smoke ; nor  did  the  assault 
cease  with  the  day  — but,  throughout  the  night, 
there  was  an  incessant  flashing  and  thundering  of 
the  lombards,  and,  the  following  morning,  the  as- 
sault rather  increased  than  slackened  in  fury. 
The  Moorish  bulwarks  were  no  proof  against  those 
formidable  engines.  In  a few  days,  the  lofty 
tower  on  which  the  taunting  banner  had  been  dis- 
played, was  shattered;  a smaller  tower  in  its  vi- 
cinity reduced  to  ruins,  and  a great  breach  made 
in  the  intervening  walls. 

Several  of  the  hot-spirited  cavaliers  were  eager 
for  storming  the  breach,  sword  in  hand ; others, 
more  cool  and  wary,  pointed  out  the  rashness  of 
such  an  attempt ; for  the  Moors  had  worked  in- 
defatigably  in  the  night ; they  had  digged  a deep 
ditch  within  the  breach,  and  had  fortified  it  with 
palisadoes  and  a high  breastwork.  All,  however, 
agreed  that  the  camp  might  safely  be  advanced 
24 


370 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


near  to  the  ruined  walls,  and  that  it  ought  to  be 
done  so,  in  return  for  the  insolent  defiance  of  the 
enemy. 

The  marques  of  Cadiz  felt  the  temerity  of  the 
measure,  but  was  unwilling  to  dampen  the  zeal 
of  these  high-spirited  cavaliers  ; and  having  chosen 
the  post  of  danger  in  the  camp,  it  did  not  become 
him  to  decline  any  service,  merely  because  it 
might  appear  perilous.  He  ordered  his  outposts, 
therefore,  to  be  advanced  within  a stone’s-throw 
of  the  breach,  but  exhorted  the  soldiers  to  main- 
tain the  utmost  vigilance. 

The  thunder  of  the  batteries  had  ceased ; the 
troops,  exhausted  by  two  night’s  fatigue  and 
watchfulness,  and  apprehending  no  danger  from 
the  dismantled  walls,  were  half  of  them  asleep ; 
the  rest  were  scattered  about  in  negligent  secu- 
rity. On  a sudden,  upward  of  two  thousand 
Moors  sallied  forth  from  the  castle,  led  on  by 
Ibrahim  Zenete,  the  principal  captain  under 
Hamet.  They  fell  with  fearful  havoc  upon  the 
advanced  guard,  slaying  many  of  them  in  their 
sleep,  and  putting  the  rest  to  headlong  flight. 

The  marques  was  in  his  tent,  about  a bow-shot 
distant,  when  he  heard  the  tumult  of  the  onset, 
and  beheld  his  men  flying  in  confusion.  He 
rushed  forth,  followed  by  his  standard-bearer. 
“ Turn  again,  cavaliers ! ” exclaimed  he  ; “I  am 
here,  Ponce  de  Leon  ! to  the  foe  ! to  the  foe  ! ” 
The  flying  troops  stopped  at  hearing  his  well- 
known  voice,  rallied  under  his  banner,  and  turned 
upon  the  enemy.  The  encampment,  by  this  time 
was  roused;  several  cavaliers  from  the  adjoining 


ATTACK  ON  THE  MARQUES  OF  CADIZ,  371 

stations  had  hastened  to  the  scene  of  action,  with  a 
number  of  Galicians  and  soldiers  of  the  Holy 
Brotherhood.  An  obstinate  and  bloody  contest 
ensued  ; the  ruggedness  of  the  place,  the  rocks, 
chasms,  and  declivities,  broke  it  into  numerous 
combats  : Christian  and  Moor  fought  hand  to  hand, 
with  swords  and  daggers ; and  often,  grappling 
and  struggling,  rolled  together  down  the  preci- 
pices. 

The  banner  of  the  marques  was  in  danger  of 
being  taken ; he  hastened  to  its  rescue,  followed 
by  some  of  his  bravest  cavaliers.  They  were  sur- 
rounded by  the  enemy,  and  several  of  them  cut 
down.  Don  Diego  Ponce  de  Leon,  brother  to  the 
marques,  was  wounded  by  an  arrow ; and  his  son- 
in-law,  Luis  Ponce,  was  likewise  wounded : they 
succeeded,  however,  in  rescuing  the  banner,  and 
bearing  it  off  in  safety.  The  battle  lasted  for  an 
hour ; the  height  was  covered  with  killed  and 
wounded,  and  the  blood  flowed  in  streams  down 
the  rocks ; at  length,  Ibrahim  Zenete  being  dis- 
abled by  the  thrust  of  a lance,  the  Moors  gave 
way  and  retreated  to  the  castle. 

They  now  opened  a galling  fire  from  their  bat- 
tlements and  towers,  approaching  the  breaches 
so  as  to  discharge  their  crossbows  and  arquebuses 
into  the  advanced  guard  of  the  encampment.  The 
marques  was  singled  out ; the  shot  fell  thick  about 
him,  and  one  passed  through  his  buckler,  and 
struck  upon  his  cuirass,  but  without  doing  him  any 
injury.  Every  one  now  saw  the  danger  and  in- 
utility of  approaching  the  camp  thus  near  to  the 
castle ; and  those  who  had  counseled  it,  were 


372 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


now  urgent  that  it  should  be  withdrawn.  It  was 
accordingly  removed  back  to  its  original  ground, 
from  which  the  marques  had  most  reluctantly  ad- 
vanced it.  Nothing  but  his  valor  and  timely  aid 
had  prevented  this  attack  on  his  outpost  from 
ending  in  a total  rout  of  all  that  part  of  the  army. 

Many  cavaliers  of  distinction  fell  in  this  contest ; 
but  the  loss  of  none  was  felt  more  deeply  than 
that  of  Ortega  del  Prado,  captain  of  escaladors. 
He  was  one  of  the  bravest  men  in  the  service  ; 
the  same  who  had  devised  the  first  successful 
blow  of  the  war,  the  storming  of  Alhama,  where 
he  was  the  first  to  plant  and  mount  the  scaling- 
ladders.  He  had  always  been  high  in  the  favor 
and  confidence  of  the  noble  Ponce  de  Leon,  who 
knew  how  to  appreciate  and  avail  himself  of  the 
merits  of  all  able  and  valiant  men.^ 

1 Zurita.  Mariana.  Abarca. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Stratagems  of  various  Kinds. 


REAT  were  the  exertions  now  made, 
both  by  the  besiegers  and  the  besieged, 
to  carry  on  this  contest  with  the  utmost 
vigor.  Hamet  went  the  rounds  of  the  walls  and 
towers,  doubling  the  guards,  and  putting  every- 
thing in  the  best  posture  of  defense.  The  garri- 
son was  divided  into  parties  of  a hundred,  to 
each  of  which  a captain  was  appointed.  Some 
were  to  patrol,  others  to  sally  forth  and  skirmish 
with  the  enemy,  and  others  to  hold  themselves 
armed  and  in  reserve.  Six  albatozas,  or  floating 
batteries,  were  manned  and  armed  with  pieces  of 
artillery,  to  attack  the  fleet. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Castilian  sovereigns 
kept  open  a communication  by  sea  with  various 
parts  of  Spain,  from  which  they  received  provis- 
ions of  all  kinds ; they  ordered  supplies  of  pow- 
der also  from  Valencia,  Barcelona,  Sicily,  and 
Portugal.  They  made  great  preparations  also 
for  storming  the  city.  Towers  of  wood  were 
constructed,  to  move  on  wheels,  each  capable  of 
holding  one  hundred  men  ; they  were  furnished 
with  ladders,  to  be  thrown  from  their  summits  to 
the  tops  of  the  walls ; and  within  those  ladders 


874 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA 


others  were  encased,  to  be  let  down  for  the 
descent  of  the  troops  into  the  city.  There  were 
gallipagos  or  tortoises,  also,  being  great  wooden 
shields,  covered  with  hides,  to  protect  the  assail- 
ants and  those  who  undermined  the  walls. 

Secret  mines  were  commenced  in  various 
places ; some  were  intended  to  reach  to  the 
foundations  of  the  walls,  which  were  to  be 
propped  up  with  wood,  ready  to  be  set  on  fire; 
others  were  to  pass  under  the  walls,  and  remain 
ready  to  be  broken  open,  so  as  to  give  entrance 
to  the  besiegers.  At  these  mines  the  army 
worked  day  and  night ; and,  during  these  secret 
preparations,  the  ordnance  kept  up  a fire  upon 
the  city,  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  besieged. 

In  the  mean  time,  Hamet  displayed  wonderful 
vigor  and  ingenuity  in  defending  the  city,  and  in 
repairing  or  fortifying,  by  deep  ditches,  the 
breaches  made  by  the  enemy.  He  noted,  also, 
every  place  where  the  camp  might  be  assailed 
with  advantage,  and  gave  the  besieging  army  no 
repose  night  or  day.  While  his  troops  sallied  on 
the  land,  his  floating  batteries  attacked  the  be- 
siegers on  the  sea  ; so  that  there  was  incessant 
skirmishing.  The  tents  called  the  Queen’s  Hos- 
pital were  crowded  with  wounded,  and  the  whole 
army  suffered  from  constant  watchfulness  and 
fatigue.  To  guard  against  the  sudden  assaults 
of  the  Moors,  the  trenches  were  deepened,  and 
palisadoes  erected  in  front  of  the  camp;  and  in 
that  part  facing  Gibralfaro,  where  the  rocky 
heights  did  not  admit  of  such  defenses,  a high 
rampart  of  earth  was  thrown  up.  The  cavaliers 


STRATAGEMS  OF  VARIOUS  KINDS,  37; 


Garcilasso  de  la  Vega,  Juan  de  Zuniga,  and  Di- 
ego de  Atayde  were  appointed  to  go  the  rounds,, 
and  keep  vigilant  watch  that  these  fortifications 
were  maintained  in  good  order. 

In  a little  while  Hamet  discovered  the  mines 
secretly  commenced  by  the  Christians : he  imme- 
diately ordered  counter-mines.  The  soldiers  mu- 
tually worked  until  they  met  and  fought  hand  to 
hand,  in  these  subterranean  passages.  The  Chris- 
tians were  driven  out  of  one  of  their  mines ; fire 
was  set  to  the  wooden  framework,  and  the  mine 
destroyed.  Encouraged  by  this  success,  the 
Moors  attempted  a general  attack  upon  the  camp, 
the  mines,  and  the  besieging  fleet.  The  battle 
lasted  for  six  hours,  on  land  and  water,  above 
and  below  ground,  on  bulwark  and  in  trench  and 
mine ; the  Moors  displayed  wonderful  intrepidity, 
but  were  finally  repulsed  at  all  points,  and  obirged 
to  retire  into  the  city,  where  they  were  closely 
invested,  without  the  means  of  receiving  any  as- 
sistance from  abroad. 

The  horrors  of  famine  were  now  added  to  the 
other  miseries  of  Malaga.  Hamet,  with  the 
spirit  of  a man  bred  up  to  war,  considered  every- 
thing as  subservient  to  the  wants  of  the  soldier 
and  ordered  all  the  grain  in  the  city  to  be  gath- 
ered and  garnered  up  for  the  sole  use  of  those 
who  fought.  Even  this  was  dealt  out  sparingly, 
and  each  soldier  received  four  ounces  of  bread  in 
the  morning,  and  two  in  the  evening,  for  his  daily 
allowance. 

The  wealthy  inhabitants,  and  all  those  peace- 
fully inclined,  mourned  over  a resistance  which 


376 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


brought  destruction  upon  their  houses,  death  into 
their  families,  and  which  they  saw  must  end  in 
their  ruin  and  captivity ; still  none  of  them  dared 
to  speak  openly  of  capitulation,  or  even  to  mani- 
fest their  grief,  lest  they  should  awaken  the  wrath 
of  their  fierce  defenders.  They  surrounded  their 
civic  champion,  Ali  Dordux,  the  great  and  opu- 
lent merchant,  who  had  buckled  on  shield  and 
cuirass,  and  taken  spear  in  hand  for  the  defense 
of  his  native  city,  and,  with  a large  body  of  the 
braver  citizens,  had  charge  of  one  of  the  gates 
and  a considerable  portion  of  the  walls.  Draw- 
ing Ali  Dordux  aside,  they  poured  forth  their 
griefs  to  him  in  secret.  “ Why,”  said  they, 
‘‘should  we  suffer  our  native  city  to  be  made  a 
mere  bulwark  and  fighting-place  for  foreign  bar- 
barians and  desperate  men  ? They  have  no  fam- 
ilies to  care  for,  no  property  to  lose,  no  love  for 
the  soil,  and  no  value  for  their  lives.  They  fight 
to  gratify  a thirst  for  blood  or  a desire  for  re- 
venge, and  will  fight  on  until  Malaga  becomes  a 
ruin  and  its  people  slaves.  Let  us  think  and  act 
for  ourselves,  our  wives,  and  our  children.  Let 
us  make  private  terms  with  the  Christians  before 
it  is  too  late,  and  save  ourselves  from  destruction.” 
The  bowels  of  Ali  Dordux  yearned  towards 
his  fellow-citizens ; he  bethought  him  also  of  the 
sweet  security  of  peace,  and  the  bloodless  yet 
gratifying  triumphs  of  gainful  traffic.  The  idea 
p,lso  of  a secret  negotiation  or  bargain  with  the 
Castilian  sovereigns,  for  the  redemption  of  his 
native  city,  was  more  conformable  to  his  accus- 
tomed habits  than  this  violent  appeal  to  arms ; 


NEGOTIATION  OF  ALI  DORDUX.  377 


for  though  he  had  for  a time  assumed  the  war- 
rior, he  had  not  forgotten  the  merchant.  Ali 
Dordux  communed,  therefore,  with  the  citizen- 
soldiers  under  his  command,  and  they  readily 
conformed  to  his  opinion.  Concerting  together, 
they  wrote  a proposition  to  the  Castilian  sover- 
eigns, offering  to  admit  the  army  into  the  part  of 
the  city  intrusted  to  their  care,  on  receiving  as- 
surance of  protection  for  the  lives  and  properties 
of  the  inhabitants.  This  writing  they  delivered 
to  a trusty  emissary  to  take  to  the  Christian 
camp,  appointing  the  hour  and  place  of  his  re- 
turn, that  they  might  be  ready  to  admit  him  un- 
perceived. 

The  Moor  made  his  way  in  safety  to  the  camp, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  sover- 
eigns. Eager  to  gain  the  city  without  further 
cost  of  blood  or  treasure,  they  gave  a written 
promise  to  grant  the  condition;  and  the  Moor 
set  out  joyfully  on  his  return.  As  he  approached 
the  walls  where  Ali  Dordux  and  his  confederates 
were  waiting  to  receive  him,  he  was  descried  by 
a patrolling  .band  of  Gomeres,  and  considered  a 
spy  coming  from  the  camp  of  the  besiegers. 
They  issued  forth  and  seized  him,  in  sight  of 
his  employers,  who  gave  themselves  up  for  lost. 
The  Gomeres  had  conducted  him  nearly  to  the 
gate,  when  he  escaped  from  their  grasp  and  fled. 
They  endeavored  to  overtake  him,  but  were  en- 
cumbered with  armor;  he  was  lightly  clad,  and 
he  fled  for  his  life.  One  of  the  Gomeres  paused, 
and,  leveling  his  cross-bow,  let  fly  a bolt,  which 
pierced  the  fugitive  between  the  shoulders  ; he 


378 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


fell,  and  was  nearly  within  their  grasp,  but  rose 
again,  and  with  a desperate  effort  attained  the 
Christian  camp.  The  Gomeres  gave  over  the 
pursuit,  and  the  citizens  returned  thanks  to  Allah 
for  their  deliverance  from  this  fearful  peril.  As 
to  the  faithful  messenger,  he  died  of  his  wound 
shortly  after  reaching  the  camp,  consoled  with 
the  idea  that  he  had  preserved  the  secret  and  the 
ilives  of  his  employers.^ 

1 Pulgar.  Cronica,  p.  8,  c.  80. 


CHAPTER  LVIIL 

Sufferings  of  the  People  of  Malaga. 

HE  sufferings  of  Malaga  spread  sorrow 
and  anxiety  among  the  Moors  ; and  they 
dreaded  lest  this  beautiful  city,  once  the 
bulwark  of  the  kingdom,  should  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  unbelievers.  The  old  warrior  king, 
Abdallah  el  Zagal,  was  still  sheltered  in  Guadix, 
where  he  was  slowly  gathering  together  his  shat- 
tered forces.  When  the  people  of  Guadix  heard 
of  the  danger  and  distress  of  Malaga,  they  urged 
to  be  led  to  its  relief ; and  the  alfaquis  admonished 
El  Zagal  not  to  desert  so  righteous  and  loyal  a 
city,  in  its  extremity.  His  own  warlike  nature 
made  him  feel  a sympathy  for  a place  that  made 
so  gallant  a resistance  ; and  he  dispatched  as  pow- 
erful a reinforcement  as  he  could  spare,  under 
conduct  of  a chosen  captain,  with  orders  to  throw 
themselves  into  the  city. 

Intelligence  of  this  reinforcement  reached  Boab- 
dil  el  Chico  in  his  royal  palace  of  the  Alhambra. 
Filled  with  hostility  against  his  uncle,  and  desi- 
rous of  proving  his  loyalty  to  the  Castilian  sover- 
eigns, he  immediately  sent  forth  a superior  force 
of  horse  and  foot,  under  an  able  commander,  to 
intercept  the  detachment.  A sharp  conflict  en- 


380 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


sued  ; the  troops  of  El  Zagal  were  routed  with 
great  loss,  and  fled  back  in  confusion  to  Guadix. 

Boabdil,  not  being  accustomed  to  victories,  was 
flushed  with  this  melancholy  triumph.  He  sent 
tidings  of  it  to  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  accom- 
panied with  rich  silks,  boxes  of  Arabian  perfume, 
a cup  of  gold,  richly  wrought,  and  a female  cap- 
tive of  Ubeda,  as  presents  to  the  queen ; and 
four  Arabian  steeds,  magnificently  caparisoned,  a 
sword  and  dagger  richly  mounted,  and  several 
albornozes  and  other  robes  sumptuously  embroid- 
ered, for  the  king.  He  entreated  them,  at  the 
same  time,  always  to  look  upon  him  with  favor 
as  their  devoted  vassal. 

Boabdil  was  fated  to  be  unfortunate,  even  in 
his  victories.  His  defeat  of  the  forces  of  his 
uncle,  destined  to  the  relief  of  unhappy  Malaga, 
shocked  the  feelings  and  cooled  the  loyalty  of 
many  of  his  best  adherents.  The  mere  men  of 
traffic  might  rejoice  in  their  golden  interval  of 
peace ; but  the  chivalrous  spirits  of  Granada 
spurned  a security  purchased  by  such  sacrifices 
of  pride  and  affection.  The  people  at  large, 
having  gratified  their  love  of  change,  began  to 
question  whether  they  had  acted  generously  by 
their  old  fighting  monarch.  “ El  Zagal,”  said 
they,  “ was  fierce  and  bloody,  but  then  he  was 
faithful  to  his  country ; he  was  an  usurper,  it  is 
true,  but  then  he  maintained  the  glory  of  the 
crown  which  he  usurped.  If  his  sceptre  was  a 
rod  of  iron  to  his  subjects,  it  was  a sword  of 
steel  against  their  enemies.  This  Boabdil  sacri- 
fices religion,  friends,  country,  everything,  to  a 


FACTIOUS  MURMURS. 


bSi 


mere  shadow  of  royalty,  and  is  content  to  hold  a 
rush  for  a sceptre.” 

These  factious  murmurs  soon  reached  the  ears 
of  Boabdil,  and  he  apprehended  another  of  his 
customary  reverses.  He  sent  in  all  haste  to  the 
Castilian  sovereigns,  beseeching  military  aid  to 
keep  him  on  his  throne.  Ferdinand  graciously 
complied  with  a request  so  much  in  unison  with 
his  policy.  A detachment  of  one  thousand  cav- 
alry and  two  thousand  infantry  was  sent,  under 
the  command  of  Don  Fernandez  Gonsalvo  of 
Cordova,  subsequently  renowned  as  the  grand 
captain.  With  this  succor,  Boabdil  expelled 
from  the  city  all  those  who  were  hostile  to  him, 
and  in  favor  of  his  uncle.  He  felt  secure  in 
these  troops,  from  their  being  distinct  in  manners, 
language,  and  religion,  from  his  subjects ; and 
compromised  with  his  pride,  in  thus  exhibiting 
that  most  unnatural  and  humiliating  of  all  regal 
spectacles,  a monarch  supported  on  his  throne  by 
foreign  weapons  and  by  soldiers  hostile  to  his 
people. 

Nor  was  Boabdil  el  Chico  the  only  Moorish 
sovereign  that  sought  protection  from  Ferdinand 
and  Isabella.  A splendid  galley,  with  lateen  sails, 
and  several  banks  of  oars,  displaying  the  standard 
of  the  crescent,  but  likewise  a white  flag  in  sign 
of  amity,  came  one  day  into  the  harbor.  An 
ambassador  landed  from  it,  within  the  Christian 
lines.  He  came  from  the  king  of  Tremezan, 
and  brought  presents  similar  to  those  of  Boabdil, 
consisting  of  Arabian  coursers,  with  bits,  stirrups, 
and  other  furniture  of  gold,  together  with  costly 


382 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Moorish  mantles ; for  the  queen,  there  were 
sumptuous  shawls,  robes,  and  silken  stuffs,  orna- 
ments of  gold,  and  exquisite  oriental  perfumes. 

The  king  of  Tremezan  had  been  alarmed  at 
the  rapid  conquests  of  the  Spanish  arms,  and 
startled  by  the  descent  of  several  Spanish  cruisers 
on  the  coast  of  Africa.  He  craved  to  be  consid- 
ered a vassal  to  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  and  that 
they  would  extend  such  favor  and  security  to  his 
ships  and  subjects  as  had  been  shown  to  other 
Moors  who  had  submitted  to  their  sway.  He 
requested  a painting  of  tiieir  arms,  that  he  and 
his  subjects  might  recognize  and  respect  their 
standard,  whenever  they  encountered  it.  At  the 
same  time  he  implored  their  clemency  toward 
unhappy  Malaga,  and  that  its  inhabitants  might 
experience  the  same  favor  that  had  been  shown 
towards  the  Moors  of  other  captured  cities. 

The  embassy  was  graciously  received  by  the 
Christian  sovereigns.  They  granted  the  protec- 
tion required  ; ordering  their  commanders  to  re- 
spect the  flag  of  Tremezan,  unless  it  should  be 
found  rendering  assistance  to  the  enemy.  They 
sent  also  to  the  Barbary  monarch  their  royal 
arms,  moulded  in  escutcheons  of  gold,  a hand’s- 
breadth  in  size.^ 

While  thus  the  chances  of  assistance  from 
without  daily  decreased,  famine  raged  in  the  city. 
The  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  eat  the  flesh 
of  horses,  and  many  died  of  hunger.  What 
made  the  sufferings  of  the  citizens  the  more  in- 
tolerable was,  to  behold  the  sea  covered  with 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  c.  84.  Pulgar,  part  3,  c.  68. 


FAMINE  IN  MALAGA. 


383 


ships,  daily  arriving  with  provisions  for  the  be- 
siegers. Day  after  day,  also,  they  saw  herds  of 
fat  cattle  and  flocks  of  sheep  driven  into  the 
camp.  Wheat  and  flour  were  piled  in  huge 
mounds  in  the  centre  of  the  encampments,  glar- 
ing in  the  sunshine,  and  tantalizing  the  wretched 
citizens,  who,  while  they  and  their  children  were 
perishing  with  hunger,  beheld  prodigal  abundance 
reigning  within  a bowshot  of  their  walls. 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

Bow  ft  Moorish  Santon  undertook  to  deliver  the  City  of  Mal- 
aga from  the  Power  of  its  Enemies. 

HERE  lived  at  this  time,  in  a hamlet 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Guadix,  an 
ancient  Moor,  of  the  name  of  Ibrahim 
el  Guerbi.  He  was  a native  of  the  island  of 
Guerbes,  in  the  kingdom  of  Tunis,  and  had  for 
several  years  led  the  life  of  a santon  or  hermit. 
The  hot  sun  of  Africa  had  dried  his  blood,  and 
rendered  him  of  an  exalted  yet  melancholy  tem- 
perament. He  passed  most  of  his  time  in  caves 
of  the  mountains,  in  meditation,  prayer,  and  rig- 
orous abstinence,  until  his  body  was  wasted  and 
his  mind  bewildered,  and  he  fancied  himself  fa- 
vored with  divine  revelations,  and  visited  by  angels, 
sent  by  Mahomet.  The  Moors,  who  have  a great 
reverence  for  all  enthusiasts  of  the  kind,  believed 
in  his  being  inspired,  listened  to  all  his  ravings  as 
veritable  prophecies,  and  denominated  him  el 
mnto^  or  the  saint. 

The  woes  of  the  kingdom  of  Granada  had 
long  exasperated  the  gloomy  spirit  of  this  man, 
and  he  had  beheld  with  indignation  this  beautiful 
country  wrested  from  the  dominion  of  the  faith- 
ful, and  becoming  a prey  to  the  unbelievers. 
He  had  implored  the  blessings  of  Allah  on  the 


THE  MOORISH  SANT  ON. 


385 


troops  which  issued  forth  from  Guadix  for  the  re- 
lief of  Malaga ; but  when  he  saw  them  return, 
routed  and  scattered  by  their  own  countrymen, 
he  retired  to  his  cell,  shut  himself  up  from  the 
world,  and  was  plunged  for  a time  in  the  blackest 
melancholy. 

On  a sudden  he  made  his  appearance  again  in 
the  streets  of  Guadix,  his  face  haggard,  his  form 
emaciated,  but  his  eye  beaming  with  fire.  He 
said  that  Allah  had  sent  an  angel  to  him  in  the 
solitude  of  his  cell,  revealing  to  him  a mode  of 
delivering  Malaga  from  its  perils,  and  striking 
horror  and  confusion  into  the  camp  of  the  unbe- 
lievers. The  Moors  listened  with  eager  credu- 
lity to  his  words : four  hundred  of  them  offered 
to  follow  him  even  to  the  death,  and  to  obey  im- 
plicitly his  commands.  Of  this  number  many 
were  Gonieres,  anxious  to  relieve  their  country- 
men, who  formed  part  of  the  garrison  of  Malaga. 

They  traversed  the  kingdom  by  the  wild  and 
lonely  passes  of  the  mountains,  concealing  them- 
selves in  the  day  and  travelling  only  in  the  night, 
to  elude  the  Christian  scouts.  At  length  they 
arrived  at  the  mountains  which  tower  above 
Malaga,  and,  looking  down,  beheld  the  city  com- 
pletely invested;  a chain  of  encampments  extend- 
ing round  it  from  shore  to  shore,  and  a line  of 
ships  blockading  it  by  sea ; while  the  continual 
thunder  of  artillery,  and  the  smoke  rising  in 
various  parts,  showed  that  the  siege  was  pressed 
with  great  activity.  The  hermit  scanned  the 
encampments  warily,  from  his  lofty  height.  He 
saw  that  the  part  of  the  encampment  of  the 
25 


386 


CONQUEST  OB'  GRANADA. 


marques  of  Cadiz  which  was  at  the  foot  of  the 
height,  and  on  the  margin  of  the  sea,  was  most 
assailable,  the  rocky  soil  not  admitting  ditches  or 
palisadoes.  Remaining  concealed  all  day,  he 
descended  with  his  followers  at  night  to  the  sea- 
coast,  and  approached  silently  to  the  outworks. 
He  had  given  them  their  instructions ; they  were 
to  rush  suddenly  upon  the  camp,  fight  their  way 
through,  and  throw  themselves  into  the  city. 

It  was  just  at  the  gray  of  the  dawning,  when 
objects  are  obscurely  visible,  that  they  made  this 
desperate  attempt.  Some  sprang  suddenly  upon 
the  sentinels,  others  rushed  into  the  sea  and  got 
round  the  works,  others  clambered  over  the 
breastworks.  There  was  sharp  skirmishing ; a 
great  part  of  the  Moors  were  cut  to  pieces,  but 
about  two  hundred  succeeded  in  getting  into  the 
gates  of  Malaga. 

The  santon  took  no  part  in  the  conflict,  nor 
did  he  endeavor  to  enter  the  city.  His  plans 
were  of  a different  nature.  Drawing  apart  from 
the  battle,  he  threw  himself  on  his  knees  on  a 
rising  ground,  and,  lifting  his  hands  to  Heaven, 
appeared  to  be  absorbed  in  prayer.  The  Chris- 
tians, as  they  were  searching  for  fugitives  in  the 
clefts  of  the  rocks,  found  him  at  his  devotions. 
He  stirred  not  at  their  approach,  but  remained 
fixed  as  a statue,  without  changing  color  or  mov- 
ing a muscle.  Filled  with  surprise,  not  un- 
mingled  with  awe,  they  took  him  to  the  marques 
of  Cadiz.  He  was  wrapped  in  a coarse  albornoz, 
or  Moorish  mantle ; his  beard  was  long  and  griz- 
iled,  and  there  was  something  wild  and  melan- 


TREACHEROUS  ATTACK. 


387 


choly  in  his  look,  that  inspired  curiosity.  On 
being  examined,  he  gave  himself  out  as  a saint 
to  whom  Allah  had  revealed  the  events  that  were 
to  take  place  in  that  siege.  The  marques  de- 
manded when  and  how  Malaga  was  to  be  taken. 
He  replied  that  he  knew  full  well,  but  he  was* 
forbidden  to  reveal  those  important  secrets  ex- 
cept to  the  king  and  queen.  The  good  marques 
was  not  more  given  to  superstitious  fancies  than 
other  commanders  of  his  time,  yet  there  seemed 
something  singular  and  mysterious  about  this  . 
man  ; he  might  have  some  important  intelligence 
to  communicate  ; so  he  was  persuaded  to  send 
him  to  the  king  and  queen.  He  was  conducted 
to  the  royal  tent,  surrounded  by  a curious  multi- 
tude, exclaiming  El  Moro  Santo!"'’  for  the  news 
had  spread  through  the  camp,  that  they  had 
taken  a Moorish  prophet. 

The  king,  having  dined,  was  taking  his  siesta, 
or  afternoon’s  sleep,  in  his  tent ; and  the  queen, 
though  curious  to  see  this  singular  man,  yet, 
from  a natural  delicacy  and  reserve,  delayed  until 
the  king  should  be  present.  He  was  taken  there- 
fore to  an  adjoining  tent,  in  which  were  Dona 
Beatrix  de  Bobadilla,  marchioness  of  Moya,  and 
Don  Alvaro  of  Portugal,  son  of  the  duke  of  Bra- 
ganza,  with  two  or  three  attendants.  The  Moor, 
ignorant  of  the  Spanish  tongue,  had  not  under- 
stood the  conversation  of  the  guards,  and  sup- 
posed, from  the  magnificence  of  the  furniture  and 
the  silken  hangings,  that  this  was  the  royal  tent. 
From  the  respect  paid  by  the  attendants  to  Don 
Alvaro  and  the  marchioness,  he  concluded  that 
they  were  the  king  and  queen. 


388 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


He  now  asked  for  a draught  of  water ; a jar  was 
brought  to  him,  and  the  guard  released  his  arm 
to  enable  him  to  drink.  The  marchioness  per- 
ceived a sudden  change  in  his  countenance,  and 
something  sinister  in  the  expression  of  his  eye^> 
and  shifted  her  position  to  a more  remote  part  of 
the  tent.  Pretending  to  raise  the  water  to  his 
lips,  the  Moor  unfolded  his  albornoz,  so  as  to 
grasp  a scimetar  which  he  wore  concealed  be- 
neath ; then,  dashing  down  the  jar,  he  drew  his 
weapon,  and  gave  Don  Alvaro  a blow  on  the 
head,  that  struck  him  to  the  earth,  and  nearly  de- 
prived him  of  life.  Turning  then  upon  the 
marchioness,  he  made  a violent  blow  at  her  ; but 
in  his  eagerness  and  agitation,  his  scimetar  caught 
in  the  drapery  of  the  tent ; the  force  of  the  blow 
was  broken,  and  the  weapon  struck  harmless 
upon  some  golden  ornaments  of  her  head-dress.^ 
Ruy  Lopez  de  Toledo,  treasurer  to  the  queen, 
and  Juan  de  Belalcazar,  a sturdy  friar,  who  were 
present,  grappled  and  struggled  with  the  desper- 
ado ; and  immediately  the  guards,  who  had  con- 
ducted him  from  the  marques  de  Cadiz,  fell  upon 
him  and  cut  him  to  pieces.^ 

The  king  and  queen,  brought  out  of  their  tents 
by  the  noise,  were  filled  with  horror  when  they 
learned  the  imminent  peril  from  which  they  had 
escaped.  The  mangled  body  of  the  Moor  was 
taken  by  the  people  to  the  camp,  and  thrown  into 
the  city  from  a catapult.  The  Goraeres  gatliered 
up  the  body  with  deep  reverence,  as  the  remains 
of  a saint ; they  washed  and  perfumed  it,  and 
1 Pietro  Martyr,  Episi.  62.  2 Cura  de  los  Palacioi. 


GLOOMY  APPREHENSIONS. 


389 


buried  it  with  great  honor  and  loud  lamentations. 
In  revenge  of  his  death,  they  slew  one  of  their 
principal  Christian  captives,  and,  having  tied  his 
body  upon  an  ass,  they  drove  the  animal  forth 
into  the  camp. 

From  this  time,  there  was  appointed  an  ad- 
ditional guard  around  the  tents  of  the  king  and 
queen,  composed  of  four  hundred  cavaliers  of 
rank,  of  the  kingdoms  of  Castile  and  Arragon. 
No  person  was  admitted  to  the  royal  presence 
armed  ; no  Moor  was  allowed  to  enter  the  camp, 
without  a previous  knowledge  of  his  character 
and  business  ; and  on  no  account  was  any  Moor 
to  be  introduced  into  the  presence  of  the  sove- 
reigns. 

An  act  of  treachery  of  such  ferocious  nature, 
gave  rise  to  a train  of  gloomy  apprehensions. 
There  were  many  cabins  and  sheds  about  the 
camp,  constructed  of  branches  of  trees  which  had 
become  dry  and  combustible  ; and  fears  were  en- 
tertained that  they  might  be  set  on  fire  by  the 
Mudexares  or  Moorish  vassals,  who  visited  the 
army.  Some  even  dreaded  that  attempts  might 
be  made  to  poison  the  wells  and  fountains.  To 
quiet  these  dismal  alarms,  all  Mudexares  were 
ordered  to  leave  the  camp ; and  all  loose,  idle  loit- 
erers, who  could  not  give  a good  account  of  them- 
Belves,  were  taken  into  custody. 


CHAPTER  LX. 


How  Hamet  el  Zegri  was  hardened  in  his  Obstinacy,  by  the 
Arts  of  a Moorish  Astrologer. 

MONG  those  followers  of  the  santon  that 
had  effected  their  entrance  into  the  city, 
was  a dark  African  of  the  tribe  of  the 
Gomeres,  who  was  likewise  a hermit  or  dervise, 
and  passed  among  the  Moors  for  a holy  and  in- 
spired man.  No  sooner  were  the  mangled  re- 
mains of  his  predecessor  buried  with  the  honors 
of  martyrdom,  than  this  dervise  elevated  himself 
in  his  place,  and  professed  to  be  gifted  with  the 
spirit  of  prophecy.  He  displayed  a white  banner, 
which,  he  assured  the  Moors,  was  sacred  ; that 
he  had  retained  it  for  twenty  years  for  some  sig* 
nal  purpose,  and  that  Allah  had  revealed  to  him 
that  under  that  banner  the  inhabitants  of  Malaga 
should  sally  forth  upon  the  camp  of  the  unbeliev- 
ers, put  it  to  utter  rout,  and  banquet  upon  the 
provisions  in  which  it  abounded.^  The  hungry 
and  credulous  Moors  were  elated  at  this  predic- 
tion, and  cried  out  to  be  led  forth  at  once  to  the 
attack  ; but  the  dervise  told  them  the  time  was 
not  yet  arrived,  for  every  event  had  its  allotted 
day  in  the  decrees  of  fate  ; they  must  wait  pa- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  84. 


PE  OGRESS  OF  THE  SIEGE. 


891 


tiently,  therefore,  until  the  appointed  time  should 
be  revealed  to  him  by  Heaven.  Hamet  el  Zegri 
listened  to  the  dervise  with  profound  reverence, 
and  his  example  had  great  effect  in  increasing  the 
awe  and  deference  of  his  followers.  He  took  the 
holy  man  up  into  his  stronghold  of  Gibralfaro, 
consulted  him  on  all  occasions,  and  hung  out  his 
white  banner  on  the  loftiest  tower,  as  a signal  of 
encouragement  to  the  people  of  the  city. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  prime  chivalry  of  Spain 
was  gradually  assembling  before  the  walls  of  Mal- 
aga. The  army  which  had  commenced  the  siege 
had  been  worn  out  by  extreme  hardships,  having 
had  to  construct  immense  works,  to  dig  trenches 
and  mines,  to  mount  guard  by  sea  and  land,  to 
patrol  the  mountains,  and  to  sustain  incessant 
conflicts.  The  sovereigns  were  obliged,  therefore, 
to  call  upon  various  distant  cities,  for  reinforce- 
ments of  horse  and  foot.  Many  nobles,  also  as- 
sembled their  vassals,  and  repaired,  of  their  own 
accord,  to  the  royal  camp. 

Every  little  while,  some  stately  galley  or  gal- 
lant caravel  would  stand  into  the  harbor,  display- 
ing the  well-known  banner  of  some  Spanish  cav- 
alier, and  thundering  from  its  artillery  a saluta- 
tion to  the  sovereigns  and  a defiance  to  the 
Moors.  On  the  land  side  also,  reinforcements 
would  be  seen,  winding  down  from  the  mountains 
to  the  sound  of  drum  and  trumpet,  and  marching 
into  the  camp  with  glistening  arms,  as  yet  unsul- 
lied by  the  toils  of  war. 

One  morning,  the  whole  sea  was  whitened  by 
the  sails  and  vexed  by  the  oars  of  ships  and  gal- 


392 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


leys  bearing  towards  the  port.  One  hundred 
vessels  of  various  kinds  and  sizes  arrived,  some 
armed  for  warlike  service,  others  deep  freighted 
with  provisions.  At  the  same  time,  the  clangor 
of  drum  and  trumpet  bespoke  the  arrival  of  a 
powerful  force  by  land,  which  came  pouring  in 
lengthening  columns  into  the  camp.  This  mighty 
reinforcement  was  furnished  by  the  duke  of  Me- 
dina Sidonia,  who  reigned  like  a petty  monarch 
over  his  vast  possessions.  He  came  with  this 
princely  force,  a volunteer  to  the  royal  standard, 
not  having  been  summoned  by  the  sovereigns  ; 
and  he  brought,  moreover,  a loan  of  twenty 
thousand  doblas  of  gold. 

When  the  camp  was  thus  powerfully  reinforced, 
Isabella  advised  that  new  offers  of  an  indulgent 
kind  should  be  made  to  the  inhabitants ; for  she 
was  anxious  to  prevent  the  miseries  of  a pro- 
tracted siege,  or  the  effusion  of  blood  that  must 
attend  a general  attack.  A fresh  summons  was 
therefore  sent  for  the  city  to  surrender,  with  a 
promise  of  life,  liberty,  and  property  in  case  of 
immediate  compliance ; but  denouncing  all  the 
horrors  of  war,  if  the  defense  were  obstinately 
continued. 

Hamet  again  rejected  the  offer  with  scorn 
His  main  fortifications  as  yet  were  but  little  im- 
paired, and  were  capable  of  holding  out  much 
longer  ; he  trusted  to  the  thousand  evils  and  ac- 
cidents that  beset  a besieging  army,  and  to  the 
inclemencies  of  the  approaching  season  ; and  it 
is  said  that  he,  as  well  as  his  followers,  had  an 
infatuated  belief  in  the  predictions  of  the  dervise. 


THE  MOORISH  ASTROLOGER,  893 


The  worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  does  not 
scruple  to  affirm  that  the  pretended  pi-ophet  of  the 
city  was  an  arch  nigromancer,  or  Moorish  magi- 
cian, of  which  there  be  countless  many,'’  says  he, 
“ in  the  filthy  sect  of  Mahomet ; ” and  that  he  was 
leagued  with  the  prince  of  the  powers  of  the  air, 
to  erideavor  to  work  the  confusion  and  defeat  of 
the  Christian  army.  The  worthy  father  asserts, 
also,  that  Hamet  employed  him  in  a high  tower 
of  the  Gibralfaro,  which  commanded  a wide  view 
over  sea  and  land,  where  he  wrought  spells  and  in- 
cantations with  astrolabes  and  other  diabolical 
instruments  to  defeat  the  Christian  ships  and 
forces,  whenever  they  were  engaged  with  the 
Moors. 

To  the  potent  spells  of  this  sorcerer,  he  as- 
cribes the  perils  and  losses  sustained  by  a party 
of  cavaliers  of  the  royal  household,  in  a desper- 
ate combat  to  gain  two  towers  in  the  suburb, 
near  the  gate  of  the  city,  called  la  Puerto  de 
Granada.  The  Christians,  led  on  by  Puy  Lopez 
de  Toledo,  the  valiant  treasurer  of  the  queen, 
took,  and  lost,  and  retook  the  towers,  which  were 
finally  set  on  fire  by  the  Moors,  and  abandoned  to 
the  flames  by  both  parties.  To  the  same  malignant 
influence  he  attributes  the  damage  done  to  the 
Christian  fleet,  which  was  so  vigorously  assailed  by 
the  albatozas,  or  floating  batteries  of  the  Moors, 
that  one  ship,  belonging  to  the  duke  of  Medina 
Sidonia,  was  sunk,  and  the  rest  were  obliged  to 
»'etire. 

“ Hamet  el  Zegri,”  says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
‘‘  stood  on  the  top  of  the  high  tower  of  Gibral- 


394 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


faro,  and  beheld  this  injury  wrought  upon  the 
Christian  force  ; and  his  proud  heart  was  puffed 
up.  And  the  Moorish  nigromancer  stood  beside 
him.  And  he  pointed  out  to  him  the  Christian 
host  below,  encamped  on  every  eminence  around 
the  city,  and  covering  its  fertile  valley,  and  the 
many  ships  floating  upon  the  tranquil  sea  ; and 
he  bade  him  be  strong  of  heart,  for  that  in  a few 
days  all  this  mighty  fleet  would  be  scattered  by 
the  winds  of  Heaven  ; and  that  he  should  sally 
forth,  under  the  guidance  of  the  sacred  banner, 
and  attack  this  host  and  utterly  defeat  it,  and 
make  spoil  of  those  sumptuous  tents  ; and  Mal- 
aga should  be  triumphantly  revenged  upon  her 
assailants.  So  the  heart  of  Hamet  was  hardened 
like  that  of  Pharaoh,  and  he  persisted  in  setting 
at  defiance  the  Catholic  sovereigns  and  their  army 
of  saintly  warriors. 


CHAPTER  LXI. 

Siege  of  Malaga  continued.  — Destruction  of  a Tower,  by 
Francisco  Ramirez  de  Madrid. 

EEING  the  infatuated  obstinancy  of  the 
besieged,  the  Christians  now  approached 
their  works  to  the  walls,  gaining  one 
position  after  another,  preparatory  to  a general 
assault.  Near  the  barrier  of  the  city  was  a bridge 
with  four  arches,  defended  at  each  end  by  a strong 
and  lofty  tower,  by  which  a part  of  the  army  would 
have  to  pass  in  making  an  attack.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  artillery,  Francisco  Rami- 
rez de  Madrid,  was  ordered  to  take  possession  of 
this  bridge.  The  approach  to  it  was  perilous  in 
the  extreme,  from  the  exposed  situation  of  the  as- 
sailants, and  the  number  of  Moors  that  garrisoned 
the  towers.  Francisco  Ramirez  therefore  secretly 
excavated  a mine  leading  beneath  the  first  tower, 
and  placed  a piece  of  ordnance  with  its  mouth  up- 
wards, immediately  under  the  foundation,  with  a 
train  of  powder  to  produce  an  explosion  at  the 
necessary  moment. 

When  this  was  arranged,  he  advanced  slowly 
with  his  forces  in  face  of  the  towers,  erecting 
bulwarks  at  every  step,  and  gradually  gaining 
ground  until  he  arrived  near  to  the  bridge.  He 
then  planted  several  pieces  of  artillery  in  his 


396 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


works,  and  began  to  batter  the  tower.  The 
Moors  replied  bravely  from  their  battlements 
but,  in  the  heat  of  the  combat,  the  piece  of  ord 
nance  under  the  foundation  was  discharged.  Th 
earth  was  rent  open,  a part  of  the  tower  over 
thrown,  and  several  of  the  Moors  were  torn  t< 
pieces  ; the  rest  took  to  flight,  overwhelmed  wit! 
terror  at  this  thundering  explosion  bursting  be 
neath  their  feet,  and  at  beholding  the  earth  vomit 
ing  flames  and  smoke  ; for  never  before  had  the} 
witnessed  such  a stratagem  in  warfare.  Thi 
Christians  rushed  forward  and  took  possession  of 
the  abandoned  post,  and  immediately  commenced 
an  attack  upon  the  other  tower  at  the  opposite 
end  of  the  bridge,  to  which  the  Moors  had  retired, 
An  incessant  fire  of  cross-bows  and  arquebuses 
was  kept  up  between  the  rival  towers,  volleys  of 
stones  were  discharged,  and  no  one  dared  to  ven- 
ture upon  the  intermediate  bridge. 

Francisco  de  Ramirez  at  length  renewed  his 
former  mode  of  approach,  making  bulwarks  step 
by  step,  while  the  Moors  stationed  at  the  other 
end,  swept  the  bridge  with  their  artillery.  The 
combat  was  long  and  K^oody,  — furious  on  the 
part  of  the  Moors,  patient  and  persevering  on  the 
part  of  the  Christians.  By  slow  degrees,  they 
accomplished  their  advance  across  the  bridge, 
drove  the  enemy  before  them,  and  remained  mas- 
ters of  this  important  pass. 

For  this  valiant  and  skillful  achievement,  king 
Ferdinand  after  the  surrender  of  the  city  con- 
ferred the  dignity  of  knighthood  upon  Francisco 
Ramirez,  in  the  tower  which  he  had  so  gloriously 


AGAPIDA'S  EXTRAVAGANT  EVLOGY,  897 


gained.^  The  worthy  padre  Fray  Antonio  Aga- 
pida  indulges  in  more  than  a page  of  extravagant 
eulogy,  upon  this  invention  of  blowing  up  the 
foundation  of  the  tower  by  a piece  of  ordnance, 
which,  in  fact,  is  said  to  be  the  first  instance  on 
record  of  gunpowder  being  used  in  a mine. 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  c.  91. 


CHAPTER  LXIL 

How  the  People  of  Malaga  expostulated  with  Hamet  el  Zegri. 

HILE  the  dervise  was  deluding  the  gar- 
rison of  Malaga  with  vain  hopes,  the 
famine  increased  to  a terrible  degree. 
The  Gorneres  ranged  about  the  city  as  though  it 
had  been  a conquered  place,  taking  by  force  what- 
ever they  found  eatable  in  the  houses  of  the  peace- 
ful citizens ; and  breaking  open  vaults  and  cellars, 
and  demolishing  walls,  wherever  they  thought 
provisions  might  be  concealed. 

The  wretched  inhabitants  had  no  lonorer  bread 
to  eat ; the  horse-flesh  also  now  failed  them,  and 
they  were  fain  to  devour  skins  and  hides  toasted 
at  the  fire,  and  to  assuage  the  hunger  of  their 
children  with  vine-leaves  cut  up  and  fried  in  oil. 
Many  perished  of  famine,  or  of  the  unwholesome 
food  with  which  they  endeavored  to  relieve  it; 
and  many  took  refuge  in  the  Christian  camp,  pre- 
fering  captivity  to  the  horrors  which  surrounded 
them. 

At  length  the  sufferings  of  the  inhabitants  be- 
came so  great,  as  to  conquer  even  their  fears  of 
Hamet  and  his  Gorneres.  They  assembled  be- 
fore the  house  of  Ali  Dordux,  the  wealthy  mer- 
chant, whose  stately  mansion  was  at  the  foot  of 


EXPOSTULATIONS  OF  THE  PEOPLE.  899 


the  Alcazaba,  and  they  urged  him  to  stand  forth 
as  their  leader,  and  to  intercede  with  Hamet  for 
a surrender.  Ali  Dordux  was  a man  of  courage, 
fts  well  as  policy ; he  perceived  also  that  hunger 
was  giving  boldness  to  the  citizens,  while  he 
trusted  it  was  subduing  the  fierceness  of  the  sol- 
diery. He  armed  himself,  therefore,  cap-a-pie, 
and  undertook  this  dangerous  parley  with  the  al- 
cayde.  He  associated  with  him  an  alfaqui  named 
Abraham  Alhariz,  and  an  important  inhabitant 
named  Amar  ben  Amar;  and  they  ascended  to 
the  fortress  of  Gibralfaro,  followed  by  several  of 
the  trembling  merchants. 

They  found  Hamet  el  Zegri,  not  as  before,  sur- 
rounded by  ferocious  guards  and  all  the  imple- 
ments of  war  ; but  in  a chamber  of  one  of  the 
lofty  towers,  at  a table  of  stone,  covered  with 
scrolls  traced  with  strange  characters  and  mystic 
diagrams  ; while  instruments  of  singular  and  un- 
known form  lay  about  the  room.  Beside  Hamet 
stood  the  prophetic  dervise,  who  appeared  to  have 
been  explaining  to  him  the  mysterious  inscriptions 
of  the  scrolls.  His  presence  filled  the  citizens 
with  awe,  for  even  Ali  Dordux  considered  him  a 
man  inspired. 

The  alfaqui  Abraham  Alhariz,  whose  sacred 
character  gave  him  boldness  to  speak,  now  lifted 
up  his  voice,  and  addressed  Hamet  el  Zegri.  “ We 
implore  thee,”  said  he,  solemnly,  ‘‘  in  the  name  of 
the  most  powerful  God,  no  longer  to  persist  in  a 
vain  resistance,  which  must  end  in  our  destruction, 
but  deliver  up  the  city  while  clemency  is  yet  to 
be  obtained.  Think  how  many  of  our  warriors 


400 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


have  fallen  by  the  sword ; do  not  suffer  those  who 
survive  to  perish  by  famine.  Our  wives  and  chil- 
dren cry  to  us  for  bread,  and  we  have  none  to 
give  them.  We  see  them  expire  in  lingering  ag- 
ony before  our  eyes,  while  the  enemy  mocks  our 
misery  by  displaying  the  abundance  of  his  camp. 
Of  what  avail  is  our  defense  ? Are  our  walls 
peradventure  more  strong  than  the  walls  of  Ronda  ? 
Are  our  warriors  more  brave  than  the  defenders 
of  Loxa  ? The  walls  of  Ronda  were  thrown 
down,  and  the  warriors  of  Loxa  had  to  surrender. 
Do  we  hope  for  succor  ? — whence  are  we  to  re- 
ceive it?  The  time  for  hope  is  gone  by.  Gra- 
nada has  lost  its  power ; it  no  longer  possesses 
chivalry,  commanders,  nor  a king.  Boabdil  sits 
a vassal  in  the  degraded  halls  of  the  Alhambra; 
El  Zagal  is  a fugitive,  shut  up  within  the  walls 
of  Guadix.  The  kingdom  is  divided  against  it- 
self, — its  strength  is  gone,  its  pride  fallen,  its 
very  existence  at  an  end.  In  the  name  of  Allah, 
we  conjure  thee,  who  art  our  captain,  be  not  our 
direst  enemy ; but  surrender  these  ruins  of  our 
once  happy  Malaga,  and  deliver  us  from  these 
overwhelming  horrors.” 

Such  was  the  supplication  forced  from  the  in- 
habitants by  tlie  extremity  of  their  sufferings. 
Hamet  listened  to  the  alfaqui  without  anger,  for 
he  respected  the  sanctity  of  his  office.  His  heart, 
too,  was  at  that  moment  lifted  up  with  a vain  con- 
fidence. “ Yet  a few  days  of  patience,”  said  he, 
and  all  these  evils  will  suddenly  have  an  end. 
I have  been  conferring  with  this  holy  man,  and 
find  that  the  time  of  our  deliverance  is  at  hand. 


HAMETS  REPLY, 


401 


The  decrees  of  fate  are  inevitable ; it  is  written 
in  the  book  of  destiny,  that  we  shall  sally  forth 
and  destroy  the  camp  of  the  unbelievers,  and  ban- 
quet upon  those  mountains  of  .grain  which  are 
piled  up  in  the  midst  of  it.  So  Allah  hath  prom- 
ised, by  the  mouth  of  this  his  prophet.  Allah 
Achbar ! God  is  great.  Let  no  man  oppose  the 
decrees  of  Heaven  ! ” 

The  citizens  bowed  with  profound  reverence, 
for  no  true  Moslem  pretends  to  struggle  against 
whatever  is  written  in  the  book  of  fate.  Ali 
Dordux,  who  had  come  prepared  to  champion 
the  city  and  to  brave  the  ire  of  Hamet,  humbled 
himself  before  this  holy  man,  and  gave  faith  to 
his  prophecies  as  the  revelations  of  Allah.  So 
the  deputies  returned  to  the  citizens,  and  exhorted 
them  to  be  of  good  cheer : “ A few  days  longer,” 

said  they,  “ and  our  sufferings  are  to  terminate. 
When  the  white  banner  is  removed  from  the 
tower,  then  look  out  for  deliverance ; for  the 
hour  of  sallying  forth  will  have  arrived.”  The 
people  retired  to  their  homes,  with  sorrowful 
hearts  ; they  tried  in  vain  to  quiet  the  cries  of 
their  famishing  children  ; and  day  by  day,  and 
hour  by  hour,  their  anxious  eyes  were  turned  to 
the  sacred  banner,  which  still  continued  to  wave 
on  the  tower  of  Gibralfaro. 


CHAPTER  LXIII. 

How  Hamct  el  Zegri  sallied  forth  with  the  Sacred  Banner,  to 
attack  the  Christian  Camp. 


;HE  Moorish  nigromancer,”  observes  the 
worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  “ re- 
mained shut  up  in  a tower  of  the  Gibral- 
faro,  devising  devilish  means  to  work  mischief 
and  discomfiture  upon  the  Christians.  He  was 
daily  consulted  by  Hamet,  who  had  great  faith  in 
those  black  and  magic  arts,  which  he  had  brought 
with  him  from  the  bosom  of  heathen  Africa.” 

From  the  account  given  of  this  dervise  and 
his  incantations  by  the  worthy  father,  it  would 
appear  that  he  was  an  astrologer,  and  was  study- 
ing the  stars,  and  endeavoring  to  calculate  the 
day  and  hour  when  a successful  attack  might  be 
made  upon  the  Christian  camp. 

Famine  had  now  increased  to  such  a degree 
as  to  distress  even  the  garrison  of  Gibralfaro, 
although  the  Gomeres  had  seized  upon  all  the 
provisions  they  could  find  in  the  city.  Their 
passions  were  sharpened  by  hunger,  and  they 
became  restless  and  turbulent,  and  impatient  for 
action. 

Hamet  was  one  day  in  council  with  his  cap- 
tains, perplexed  by  the  pressure  of  events,  when 


SALLY  AGAINST  THE  CHRISTIAN  CAMP.  403 


the  dervise  entered  among  them.  “ The  hour  of 
victory,”  exclaimed  he,  ‘‘  is  at  hand.  Allah  has 
commanded  that  to-morrow  morning  ye  shall 
sally  forth  to  the  fight.  1 will  bear  before  you 
the  sacred  banner,  and  deliver  your  enemies  into 
your  hands.  Remember,  however,  that  ye  are 
but  instruments  in  the  hands  of  Allah,  to  take 
vengeance  on  the  enemies  of  the  faith.  Go  into 
battle,  therefore,  with  pure  hearts,  forgiving  each 
other  all  past  offenses ; for  those  who  are  charita- 
ble towards  each  other,  will  be  victorious  over 
the  foe.”  The  words  of  the  dervise  were  re- 
ceived with  rapture ; all  Gibralfaro  and  the  Alca- 
zaba  resounded  immediately  with  the  din  of  arms ; 
and  Hamet  sent  throughout  the  towers  and  for- 
tifications of  the  city  and  selected  the  choicest 
troops  and  most  distinguished  captains  for  this 
eventful  combat. 

In  the  morning  early,  the  rumor  went  through- 
out the  city  that  the  sacred  banner  had  disap- 
peared from  the  tower  of  Gibralfaro,  and  all 
Malaga  was  roused  to  witness  the  sally  that  was 
to  destroy  the  unbelievers.  Hamet  descended 
from  his  stronghold,  accompanied  by  his  principal 
captain,  Ibrahim  Zenete,  and  followed  by  his 
Gomeres.  The  dervise  led  the  way,  displaying 
the  white  banner,  the  sacred  pledge  of  victory. 
The  multitude  shouted  “ Allah  A^ibar ! ” and 
prostrated  themselves  before  the  banner  as  it 
passed.  Even  the  dreaded  Hamet  was  hailed 
with  praises ; for  in  their  hopes  of  speedy  relief 
through  the  prowess  of  his  arm,  the  populace 
forgot  everything  but  his  bravery.  Every  bosom 


^04 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


in  Malaga  was  agitated  by  hope  and  fear  — the 
old  men,  the  women  and  children,  and  all  who 
went  not  forth  to  battle,  mounted  on  tower  and 
battlement  and  roof,  to  watch  a combat  that  was 
to  decide  their  fate. 

Before  sallying  forth  from  the  city,  the  dervise 
addressed  the  troops,  reminding  them  of  the  holy 
nature  of  this  enterprise,  and  warning  them  not 
to  forfeit  the  protection  of  the  sacred  banner  by 
any  unworthy  act.  They  were  not  to  pause  to 
make  spoil  nor  to  take  prisoners  : they  were  to 
press  forward,  fighting  valiantly,  and  granting  no 
quarter.  The  gate  was  then  thrown  open,  and 
the  dervise  issued  forth,  followed  by  the  army. 
They  directed  their  assaults  upon  the  encamp- 
ments of  the  master  of  Santiago  and  the  master 
of  Alcantara,  and  came  upon  them  so  suddenly 
that  they  killed  and  wounded  several  of  the 
guards.  Ibrahim  Zenete  made  his  way  into  one 
of  the  tents,  where  he  beheld  several  Christian 
striplings  just  starting  from  their  slumber.  The 
heart  of  the  Moor  was  suddenly  touched  with 
pity  for  their  youth,  or  perhaps  he  scorned  the 
weakness  of  the  foe.  He  smote  them  with  the 
flat  instead  of  the  edge  of  the  sword.  ‘‘  Away, 
imps,”  cried  he,  “ away  to  your  mothers.”  The 
fanatic  dervise  reproached  him  with  his  clemency. 

I did  not  kill  them,”  replied  Zenete,  “ because  I 
saw  no  beards  ! ” ^ 

The  alarm  was  given  in  the  camp,  and  the 
Christians  rushed  from  all  quarters  to  defend  the 
gates  of  the  bulwarks.  Don  Pedro  Puerto  Car- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios,  cap.  84. 


DESPERATE  ATTACK  AND  REPULSE.  405 


rero,  senior  of  Moguer,  and  his  brother  Don 
Alonzo  Pacheco,  planted  themselves,  with  their 
followers,  in  the  gateway  of  the  encampment  of 
the  master  of  Santiago,  and  bore  the  whole  brunt 
of  battle  until  they  were  reinforced.  The  gate 
of  the  encampment  of  the  master  of  Calatrava 
was  in  like  manner  defended  by  Lorenzo  Saurez 
de  Mendoza.  Hamet  was  furious  at  being  thus 
checked,  where  he  had  expected  a miraculous 
victory.  He  led  his  troops  repeatedly  to  the 
attack,  hoping  to  force  the  gates  before  succor 
should  arrive : they  fought  with  vehement  ardor, 
but  were  as  often  repulsed  ; aifd  every  time  they 
returned  to  the  assault,  they  found  their  enemies 
doubled  in  number.  The  Christians  opened  a 
cross-fire  of  all  kinds  of  missiles,  from  their  bul- 
warks ; the  Moors  could  effect  but  little  damage 
upon  a foe  thus  protected  behind  their  works, 
while  they  themselves  were  exposed  from  head  to 
foot.  The  Christians  singled  out  the  most  con- 
spicuous cavaliers,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were 
either  slain  or  wounded.  Still  the  Moors,  infatu- 
ated by  the  predictions  of  the  prophet,  fought 
desperately  and  devotedly,  and  they  were,  furious 
to  revenge  the  slaughter  of  their  leaders.  They 
rushed  upon  certain  death,  endeavoring  madly  to 
scale  the  bulwarks  or  force  the  gates,  and  fell 
amidst  showers  of  darts  and  lances,  filling  the 
ditches  with  their  mangled  bodies. 

Hamet  el  Zegri  raged  along  the  front  of  the 
bulwarks,  seeking  an  opening  for  attack.  He 
gnashed  his  teeth  with  fury,  as  he  saw  so  many 
of  his  chosen  warriors  slain  around  him.  He 


406 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


seemed  to  have  a charmed  life  ; for,  though  con«» 
Btantly  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  amidst  showers 
of  missiles,  he  still  escaped  uninjured.  Blindly 
confiding  in  the  prophecy  of  victory,  he  continued 
to  urge  on  his  devoted  troops.  The  dervise,  too, 
ran  like  a maniac  through  the  ranks,  waving  his 
white  banner,  and  inciting  the  Moors  by  bowlings 
rather  than  by  shouts.  “Fear  not!  the  victory 
is  ours  1 for  so  it  is  written  ! ’’  cried  he.  In  the 
midst  of  his  frenzy,  a stone  from  a catapult  struck 
him  in  the  head,  and  dashed  out  his  bewildered 
brains.^ 

When  the  Mo6rs  beheld  their  prophet  slain, 
and  his  banner  in  the  dust,  they  were  seized  with 
despair,  and  fled  in  confusion  to  the  city.  Hamet 
el  Zegri  made  some  effort  to  rally  them,  but  was 
himself  confounded  by  the  fall  of  the  dervise. 
He  covered  the  flight  of  his  broken  forces,  turn- 
ing repeatedly  upon  their  pursuers,  and  slowly 
making  his  retreat  into  the  city. 

The  inhabitants  of  Malaga  witnessed  from 
their  walls,  with  trembling  anxiety,  the  whole  of 
this  disastrous  conflict.  At  the  first  onset,  when 
they  beheld  the  guards  of  the  camp  put  to  flight, 
they  exclaimed,  “ Allah  has  given  us  the  vic- 
tory 1 ” and  they  sent  up  shouts  of  triumph. 
Their  exultation,  however,  was  soon  turned  into 
doubt,  when  they  beheld  their  troops  repulsed  in 
repeated  attacks.  They  could  see,  from  time  to 
time,  some  distinguished  warrior  laid  low,  and 
others  brought  back  bleeding  to  the  city.  When 
at  length  the  sacred  banner  fell,  and  the  routed 
1 Garibay,  lib.  18,  c.  33. 


DESPAIR  OF  THE  MOORS. 


407 


troops  came  flying  to  the  gates,  pursued  and  cut 
down  by  the  foe,  horror  and  despair  seized  upon 
the  populace. 

As  Hainet  entered  the  gates,  he  heard  nothing 
but  loud  lamentations ; mothers,  whose  sons  had 
been  slain,  shrieked  curses  after  him  as  he  passed  ; 
some,  in  the  anguish  of  their  hearts,  threw  down 
their  famishing  babes  before  him,  exclaiming, 
‘‘  Trample  on  them  with  thy  horse’s  feet ; for  wc 
have  no  food  to  give  them,  and  we  cannot  endure 
their  cries.”  All  heaped  execrations  on  his  head, 
as  the  cause  of  the  woes  of  Malaga. 

The  warlike  part  of  the  citizens,  also,  and 
many  warriors,  who,  with  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, had  taken  refuge  in  Malaga  from  the  moun- 
tain fortresses,  now  joined  in  the  popular  clamor, 
for  their  hearts  were  overcome  by  the  sufferings 
of  their  families. 

Hamet  el  Zegri  found  it  impossible  to  with- 
stand this  torrent  of  lamentations,  curses,  and  re- 
proaches. His  military  ascendency  was  at  an 
end ; for  most  of  his  officers,  and  the  prime  war- 
riors of  his  African  band,  had  fallen  in  this  disas- 
trous sally.  Turning  his  back,  therefore,  upon 
the  city,  and  abandoning  it  to  its  own  councils, 
he  retired  with  the  remnant  of  his  Gomeres  to 
his  stronghold  in  the  Gibralfaro. 


CHAPTER  LXIV. 

How  the  Cit}^  of  Malaga  capitulated. 


HE  people  of  Malaga,  being  no  longer 
overawed  by  Hamet  el  Zegri  and  his 
Gomeres,  turned  to  Ali  Dordux,  the 
magnanimous  merchant,  and  put  the  fate  of  the 
city  into  his  hands.  He  had  already  gained  the 
alcaydes  of  the  castle  of  the  Genoese  and  of  the 
citadel  into  his  party,  and  in  the  late  confusion 
had  gained  the  sway  over  those  important  for- 
tresses. He  now  associated  himself  with  the 
alfaqui,  Abraham  Alhariz,  and  four  of  the  prin- 
cipal inhabitants,  and,  forming  a provisional  junta, 
they  sent  heralds  to  the  Christian  sovereigns, 
offering  to  surrender  the  city  on  certain  terms, 
protecting  the  persons  and  property  of  the  in- 
habitants, permitting  them  to  reside  as  Mudex 
ares  or  tributary  vassals  either  in  Malaga  or 
elsewhere. 

When  the  heralds  arrived  at  the  camp,  and 
made  known  their  mission  to  King  Ferdinand, 
his  anger  was  kindled.  “ Return  to  your  fellow 
citizens,”  said  he,  “ and  tell  them  that  the  day  of 
grace  is  gone  by.  They  have  persisted  in  a 
fruitless  defense  until  they  are  driven  by  neces- 
sity to  capitulate ; they  must  surrender  uncondi- 


FERDINAND  REFUSES  CONCESSIONS.  409 


tionally,  and  abide  the  fate  of  the  vanquished 
Those  who  merit  death  shall  suffer  death ; those 
who  merit  captivity  shall  be  made  captives.” 

This  stern  reply  spread  consternation  among 
the  people  of  Malaga ; but  Ali  Dordux  comforted 
them,  and  undertook  to  go  in  person,  and  pray 
for  favorable  terms.  When  the  people  beheld 
this  great  and  wealthy  merchant,  who  was  so 
eminent  in  their  city,  departing  with  his  asso- 
ciates on  this  mission,  they  plucked  up  heart ; for 
they  said,  Surely  the  Christian  king  will  not 
turn  a deaf  ear  to  such  a man  as  Ali  Dordux ! ” 
Ferdinand,  however,  would  not  even  admit  the 
ambassadors  to  his  presence.  “ Send  them  to  the 
devil ! ” said  he,  in  a great  passion,  to  the  com- 
mander of  Leon  ; “ Til  not  see  them.  Let  them 
get  back  to  their  city.  They  shall  all  surrender 
to  my  mercy,  as  vanquished  enemies.”  ^ 

To  give  emphasis  to  this  reply,  he  ordered  a 
general  discharge  from  all  the  artillery  and  bat- 
teries ; and  there  was  a great  shout  throughout 
the  camp,  and  all  the  lombards  and  catapults,  and 
other  engines  of  war,  thundered  furiously  upon 
the  city,  doing  great  damage. 

Ali  Dordux  and  his  companions  returned  to 
the  city  with  downcast  countenances,  and  could 
scarce  make  the  reply  of  the  Christian  sovereign 
be  heard,  for  the  roaring  of  the  artillery,  the 
tumbling  of  the  walls,  and  the  cries  of  women 
and  children.  The  citizens  were  greatly  aston- 
ished and  dismayed,  when  they  found  the  little 
respect  pail  to  their  most  eminent  man:  but  the 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  84. 


410 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


warriors  who  were  in  the  city  exclaimed,  “ What 
has  this  merchant  to  do  with  questions  between 
men  of  battle  ? Let  us  not  address  the  enemy 
as  abject  suppliants  who  have  no  power  to  injure, 
but  as  valiant  men,  who  have  weapons  in  their 
hands.” 

So  they  dispatched  another  message  to  the 
Christian  sovereigns,  offering  to  yield  up  the  city 
and  all  their  effects,  on  condition  of  being  secured 
in  their  personal  liberty.  Should  this  be  denied, 
they  declared  they  would  hang  from  the  battle- 
ments fifteen  hundred  Christian  captives,  male 
and  female  ; that  they  would  put  all  their  old 
men,  their  women,  and  children  into  the  citadel, 
set  fire  to  the  city,  and  sally  forth,  sword  in  hand, 
to  fight  until  the  last  gasp.  “ In  this  way,”  said 
they,  ‘‘  the  Spanish  sovereigns  shall  gain  a bloody 
victory,  and  the  fall  of  Malaga  be  renowned 
while  the  world  endures.” 

To  this  fierce  and  swelling  message,  Ferdinand 
replied,  that  if  a single  Christian  captive  were 
injured,  not  a Moor  in  Malaga  but  should  be  put 
to  the  edge  of  the  sword. 

A great  conflict  of  counsels  now  arose  in  Mal- 
aga. The  warriors  were  for  following  up  their 
menace  by  some  desperate  act  of  vengeance  or 
of  self-devotion.  Those  who  had  families  looked 
with  anguish  upon  their  wives  and  daughters, 
and  thought  it  better  to  die  than  to  live  to  see 
them  captives.  By  degrees,  however,  the  tran- 
sports of  passion  and  despair  subsided,  the  love 
of  life  resumed  its  sway,  and  they  turned  once 
more  to  Ali  Dordux,  as  the  man  most  prudent  in 


ISABELLA'S  COMPASSION, 


411 


council  and  able  in  negotiation.  By  his  advice, 
fourteen  of  the  principal  inhabitants  were  chosen 
from  the  fourteen  districts  of  the  city,  and  sent 
to  the  camp,  bearing  a long  letter,  couched  in 
terms  of  the  most  humble  supplication. 

Various  debates  now  took  place  in  the  Chris- 
tian camp.  Many  of  the  cavaliers  were  exas- 
perated against  Malaga  for  its  long  resistance, 
which  had  caused  the  death  of  many  of  their 
relatives  and  favorite  companions.  It  had  long 
been  a stronghold,  also,  for  Moorish  depredators, 
and  the  mart  where  most  of  the  warriors  cap- 
tured in  the  Axarquia  had  been  exposed  in  tri- 
umph and  sold  to  slavery.  They  represented, 
moreover,  that  there  were  many  Moorish  cities 
yet  to  be  besieged ; and  that  an  example  ought 
to  be  made  of  Malaga,  to  prevent  all  obstinate 
resistance  thereafter.  They  advised,  therefore, 
that  all  the  inhabitants  should  be  put  to  the 
sword ! ^ 

The  humane  heart  of  Isabella  revolted  at  such 
sanguinary  counsels : she  insisted  that  their  tri- 
umph should  not  be  disgraced  by  cruelty.  Fer- 
dinand, however,  was  inflexible  in  refusing  to 
grant  any  preliminary  terms,  insisting  on  an  un- 
conditional surrender. 

The  people  of  Malaga  now  abandoned  them- 
selves to  paroxysms  of  despair ; on  one  side  they 
saw  famine  and  death,  on  the  other  slavery  and 
chains.  The  mere  men  of  the  sword,  who  had 
no  families  to  protect,  were  loud  for  signalizing 
their  fall  by  some  illustrious  action.  “ Let  us 
1 Pulgar. 


412 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


sacrifice  our  Christian  captives,  and  then  destroy 
ourselves,”  cried  some.  “ Let  us  put  all  the 
women  and  children  to  death,  set  fire  to  the  city, 
fall  on  the  Christian  camp,  and  die  sword  in 
hand,”  cried  others. 

Ali  Dordux  gradually  made  his  voice  be  heard, 
amidst  the  general  clamor.  He  addressed  him- 
self to  the  principal  inhabitants,  and  to  those  who 
had  children.  “ Let  tliose  who  live  by  the  sword, 
die  by  the  sword,”  cried  he ; ‘‘  but  let  us  not  fol- 
low their  desperate  counsels.  Who  knows  what 
sparks  of  pity  may  be  awakened  in  the  bosoms  of 
the  Christian  sovereigns,  when  they  behold  our 
unoffending  wives  and  daughters,  and  our  help- 
less little  ones  ! The  Christian  queen,  they  say, 
is  full  of  mercy.” 

At  these  words,  the  hearts  of  the  unhappy  peo- 
ple of  Malaga  yearned  over  their  families,  and 
they  empowered  Ali  Dordux  to  deliver  up  their 
city  to  the  mercy  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns. 

The  merchant  now  went  to  and  fro,  and  had 
several  communications  with  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella  and  interested  several  principal  cavaliers 
in  his  cause ; and  he  sent  rich  presents  to  the 
king  and  queen,  of  oriental  merchandise,  and 
silks  and  stuffs  of  gold,  and  jewels  and  precious 
stones,  and  spices  and  perfumes,  and  many  other 
sumptuous  things,  which  he  had  accumulated  in 
his  great  tradings  with  the  East ; and  he  gradu- 
ally found  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  sovereigns.^ 
Finding  that  there  was  nothing  to  be  obtained 
for  the  city,  he  now,  like  a prudent  man  and  able 
1 MS.  Chron.  of  Vahra. 


MALAGA  SURRENDERS, 


413 


merchant,  began  to  negotiate  for  himself  and  his 
immediate  friends.  He  represented  that  from 
the  first  they  had  been  desirous  of  yielding  up 
the  city,  but  had  been  prevented  by  warlike  and 
high-handed  men,  who  had  threatened  their  lives  ; 
he  entreated,  therefore,  that  mercy  might  be  ex- 
tended to  them,  and  that  they  might  not  be  con- 
founded with  the  guilty. 

The  sovereigns  had  accepted  the  presents  of 
Ali  Dordux  — how  could  they  then  turn  a deaf 
ear  to  his  petition?  So  they  granted  a pardon  to 
him,  and  to  forty  families  which  he  named  ; and 
it  was  agreed  that  they  should  be  protected  in 
their  liberties  and  property,  and  permitted  to  re- 
side in  Malaga  as  Mudexares  or  Moslem  vassals, 
and  to  follow  their  customary  pursuits.^  All 
this  being  arranged,  Ali  Dordux  delivered  up 
twenty  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  to  remain  as 
hostages,  until  the  whole  city  should  be  placed 
in  the  possession  of  the  Christians. 

Don  Gutierrez  de  Cardenas,  senior  comman- 
der of  Leon,  now  entered  the  city,  armed  cap-a- 
pie,  on  horseback,  and  took  possession  in  the 
name  of  the  Castilian  ’Sovereigns.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  his  retainers,  and  by  the  captains  and 
cavaliers  of  the  army  ; and  in  a little  while,  the 
standards  of  the  cross  and  of  the  blessed  Santiao:o, 
and  of  the  Catholic  sovereigns,  were  elevated  on 
the  principal  tower  of  the  Alcazaba.  When 
these  standards  were  beheld  from  the  camp,  the 
queen  and  the  princess  and  the  ladies  of  the  court, 
and  all  the  royal  retinue,  knelt  down  and  gave 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  84. 


414 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


thanks  and  praises  to  the  holy  virgin  and  to 
Santiago,  for  this  great  triumph  of  the  faith ; and 
the  bishops  and  other  clergy  who  were  present, 
and  the  choristers  of  the  royal  chapel,  chanted 
Te  Deum  Laudamus^^  and  ‘‘  Gloria  in  Excel* 
usP 


CHAPTER  LXV. 

Fulfillment  of  the  Prophecy  of  the  Dervise. — Fate  of  Hamet 
el  Zegri. 

sooner  was  the  city  delivered  up,  than 
wretched  inhabitants  implored  per- 
mission  to  purchase  bread  for  them- 
selves and  their  children,  from  the  heaps  of  grain 
which  they  had  so  often  gazed  at  wistfully  from 
their  walls.  Their  prayer  was  granted,  and  they  is- 
sued forth  with  the  famished  eagerness  of  starving 
men.  It  was  piteous  to  behold  the  struggles  of 
those  unhappy  people,  as  they  contended  who 
first  should  have  their  necessities  relieved. 

“Thus”  says  the  pious  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ thus  are  the  predictions  of  false  prophets  some- 
times permitted  to  be  verified,  but  always  to  the, 
confusion  of  those  who  trust  in  them  : for  the 
words  of  the  Moorish  nigromancer  came  to  pass, 
that  the  people  of  Malaga  should  eat  of  those 
heaps  of  bread ; but  they  ate  in  humiliation  and 
defeat,  and  with  sorrow  and  bitterness  of  heart.” 
Dark  and  fierce  were  the  feelings  of  Hamet  el 
Zegri,  as  he  looked  down  from  the  castle  of  Gib- 
ralfaro,  and  beheld  the  Christian  legions  pouring 
into  the  city,  and  the  standard  of  the  cross  sup- 
planting the  crescent  on  the  citadel.  “ The  people 
of  Malaga,”  said  he,  “ have  trusted  to  a man  of 


416 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


trade,  and  he  has  trafficked  them  away  ; but  let 
us  not  suffer  ourselves  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot, 
and  delivered  up  as  part  of  his  bargain.  We 
have  yet  strong  walls  around  us,  and  trusty 
weapons  in  our  hands.  Let  us  fight  until  buried 
beneath  the  last  tumbling  tower  of  Gibralfaro, 
or,  rushing  down  from  among  its  ruins,  carry 
havoc  among  the  unbelievers,  as  they  throng  the 
streets  of  Malaga  ! ” 

The  fierceness  of  the  Gomeres,  however,  was 
broken.  They  could  have  died  in  the  breach, 
had  their  castle  been  assailed  ; but  the  slow  ad- 
vances of  famine  subdued  their  strength  without 
rousing  their  passions,  and  sapped  the  force  both 
of  soul  and  body.  They  were  almost  unanimous 
for  a surrender. 

It  was  a hard  struggle  for  the  proud  spirit  of 
Hamet,  to  bow  itself  to  ask  for  terms.  Still  he 
trusted  that  the  valor  of  his  defense  would  gain 
him  respect  in  the  eyes  of  a chivalrous  foe. 

Ali,”  said  he,  “ has  negotiated  like  a merchant ; 
I will  capitulate  as  a soldier.”  He  sent  a herald, 
therefore,  to  Ferdinand,  offering  to  yield  up  his 
castle,  but  demanding  a separate  treaty.^  The 
Castilian  sovereign  made  a laconic  and  stern 
reply  : “ He  shall  receive  no  terms  but  such  as 
have  been  granted  to  the  community  of  Malaga.” 

For  two  days  Hamet  el  Zegri  remained  brood- 
ing in  his  castle,  after  the  city  was  in  possession 
of  the  Christians  ; at  length,  the  clamors  of  his 
followers  compelled  him  to  surrender.  When 
the  remnant  of  this  fierce  African  garrison  de- 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  84. 


FATE  OF  HAMET  EL  ZEGRL 


417 


scended  from  their  cragged  fortress,  they  were  so 
worn  by  watchfulness,  famine,  and  battle,  yet 
carried  such  a lurking  fury  in  their  eyes,  that 
they  looked  more  like  fiends  than  men.  They 
were  all  condemned  to  slavery,  excepting  Ibrahim 
Zenete.  The  instance  of  clemency  which  be  had 
shown  in  refraining  to  harm  the  Spanish  strip- 
lings, on  the  last  sally  from  Malaga,  won  him 
favorable  terms.  It  was  cited  as  a magnanimous 
act  by  the  Spanish  cavaliers,  and  all  admitted, 
that  though  a Moor  in  blood,  he  possessed  the 
Christian  heart  of  a Castilian  hidalgo.^ 

As  to  Hamet  el  Zegri,  on  being  asked  what 
moved  him  to  such  hardened  obstinacy,  he  replied. 

When  I undertook  my  command,  I pledged  my- 
self to  fight  in  defense  of  my  faith,  my  city,  and 
my  sovereign,  until  slain  or  made  prisoner  ; and 
depend  upon  it,  had  I had  men  to  stand  by  me, 
I should  have  died  fighting,  instead  of  thus  tamely 
surrendering  myself  without  a weapon  in  ray 
hand.” 

“ Such,”  says  the  pious  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ was  the  diabolical  hatred  and  stiff-necked  op- 
position of  this  infidel  to  our  holy  cause.  But 
he  was  justly  served  by  our  most  Catholic  and 
high-minded  sovereign,  for  his  pertinacious  de- 
fense of  the  city  ; for  Ferdinand  ordered  that  he 
should  be  loaded  with  chains  and  thrown  into  a 
dungeon.”  He  was  subsequently  retained  in 
rigorous  confinement  at  Carmona.^ 

1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap,  84. 

2 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  93.  Pietro  Martyr,  lib.  1,  cap.  69. 
Alcantara,  Hist  Granada^  vt)l.  4,  c.  18. 


CHAPTER  LXVI. 


How  the  Castilian  Sovereigns  took  Possession  of  the  City  of 
Malaga,  and  how  King  Ferdinand  signalized  himself  by  hia 
Skill  in  bargaining  with  the  Inhabitants  for  their  Ransom. 


jjNE  of  the  first  cares  of  the  conquerors, 
on  entering  Malaga,  was  to  search  for 
^ Christian  captives.  Nearly  sixteen  hun- 
dred men  and  women  were  found,  and  among  them 
were  persons  of  distinction.  Some  of  them  had 
been  ten,  fifteen,  and  twenty  years  in  captivity. 
Many  had  been  servants  to  the  Moors,  or  labor- 
ers on  public  works,  and  some  had  passed  their 
time  in  chains  and  dungeons.  Preparations  were 
made  to  celebrate  their  deliverance  as  a Christian 
triumph.  A tent  was  erected  not  far  from  the 
city,  and  furnished  with  an  altar  and  all  the  sol- 
emn decorations  of  a chapel.  Here  the  king  and 
queen  waited  to  receive  the  Christian  captives. 
They  were  assembled  in  the  city,  and  marshaled 
forth  in  piteous  procession.  Many  of  them  had 
still  the  chains  and  shackles  on  their  legs ; they 
were  wasted  with  famine,  their  hair  and  beards 
overgrown  and  matted,  and  their  faces  pale  and 
haggard  from  long  confinement.  When  they 
found  themselves  restored  to  liberty,  and  sur- 
rounded by  their  countrymen,  some  stared  wildly 
about  as  if  in  a dream,  others  gave  way  to  frantic 
transports,  but  most  of  them  wept  for  joy.  All 


RELEASE  OF  CHRISTIAN  CAPTIVES,  419 

present  were  moved  to  tears,  by  so  touching  a 
spectacle.  When  the  procession  arrived  at  what 
is  called  the  Gate  of  Granada,  it  was  met  by  a 
great  concourse  from  the  camp,  with  crosses  and 
pennons,  who  turned  and  followed  the  captives, 
singing  hymns  of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  When 
they  came  in  presence  of  the  king  and  queen, 
they  threw  themselves  on  their  knees  and  would 
have  kissed  their  feet,  as  their  saviors  and  de- 
liverers ; but  the  sovereigns  prevented  such  hu- 
miliation, and  graciously  extended  to  them  their 
hands.  They  then  prostrated  themselves  before 
the  altar,  and  all  present  joined  them  in  giving 
thanks  to  God  for  their  liberation  from  this 
cruel  bondage.  By  orders  of  the  king  and  queen, 
their  chains  were  then  taken  off,  and  they  were 
clad  in  decent  raiment,  and  food  was  set  before 
them.  After  they  had  ate  and  drunk,  and  were 
refreshed  and  invigorated,  they  were  provided 
with  money  and  all  things  necessary  for  their 
journey,  and  sent  joyfully  to  their  homes. 

While  the  old  chroniclers  dwell  with  becoming 
enthusiasm  on  this  pure  and  affecting  triumph  of 
humanity,  they  go  on,  in  a strain  of  equal  eulogy, 
to  describe  a spectacle  of  a far  different  nature. 
It  so  happened,  tiiat  there  were  found  in  the  city 
twelve  of  those  renegado  Christians  who  had  de- 
serted to  the  Moors,  and  conveyed  false  intel- 
ligence, during  the  siege : a barbarous  species  of 
punishment  was  inflicted  upon  them,  borrowed,  it 
IS  said,  from  the  Moors,  and  peculiar  to  these  wars. 
They  were  tied  to  stakes  in  a public  place,  and 
horsemen  exercised  their  skill  in  transpiercing 


420 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


them  with  pointed  reeds,  hurled  at  them  while 
careering  at  full  speed,  until  the  miserable  victims 
expired  beneath  their  wounds.  Several  apostate 
Moors,  also,  who,  having  embraced  Christianity, 
had  afterwards  relapsed  into  their  early  faith,  and 
had  taken  refuge  in  Malaga  from  the  vengeance 
of  the  Inquisition,  were  publicly  burnt.  “ ThesCj,” 
says  an  old  Jesuit  historian,  exultingly,  “ these 
were  the  tilts  of  reeds  and  the  illuminations  most 
pleasing  for  this  victorious  festival,  and  for  the 
Catholic  piety  of  our  sovereigns  ! ” ^ 

When  the  city  was  cfeansed  from  the  impurities 
and  offensive  odors  which  had  collected  during 
the  siege,  the  bishops  and  other  clergy  who  ac- 
companied the  court,  and  the  choir  of  the  royal 
chapel,  walked  in  procession  to  the  principal 
mosque,  which  was  consecrated,  and  entitled  Santa 
Maria  de  la  Incarnacion.  This  done,  the  king 
and  queen  entered  the  city,  accompanied  by  the 
grand  cardinal  of  Spain,  and  the  principal  nobles 
and  cavaliers  of  the  army,  and  heard  a solemn 
mass.  The  church  was  then  elevated  into  a 
cathedral,  and  Malaga  was  made  a bishopric,  and 
many  of  the  neighboring  towns  were  compre- 
hended in  its  diocese.  The  queen  took  up  her 
residence  in  the  Alcazaba,  in  the  apartments  of 
her  valiant  treasurer,  Ruy  Lopez,  whence  she  had 
a view  of  the  whole  city;  but  the  king  established 
his  quarters  in  the  warrior  castle  of  Gibralfaro. 

^ “ Los  renegades  fuernon  acanavareados : y los  converses 
quemados;  y estos  fueron  las  canas,  y laminarias  mas  alegres, 
per  la  fiesta  de  la  vitoria  para  la  piedad  Catholica  de  nuestros 
Reyes.”  — Abarca,  Anales  de  Aragon^  tom.  2,  Key  xxx.,  c.  3. 


DISPOSITION  OF  THE  PRISONERS.  421 


‘ And  now  came  to  be  considered  the  disposition 
of  the  Moorish  prisoners.  All  those  who  were 
strangers  in  the  city,  and  had  either  taken  refuge 
there,  or  had  entered  to  defend  it,  were  at  once 
considered  slaves.  They  were  divided  into  three 
lots:  one  was  set  apart  for  the  service  of  God,  in 
redeeming  Christian  captives  from  bondage,  either 
in  the  kingdom  of  Granada  or  in  Africa ; the  sec- 
ond lot  was  divided  among  those  who  had  aided 
either  in  field  or  cabinet,  in  the  present  siege,  ac- 
cording to  their  rank  ; the  third  was  appropriated 
to  defray,  by  their  sale,  the  great  expenses  in- 
curred in  the  reduction  of  the  place.  A hundred 
of  the  Go  meres  were  sent  as  presents  to  Pope 
Innocent  VIII.,  and  were  led  in  triumph  through 
the  streets  of  Pome,  and  afterwards  converted  to 
Christianity.  Fifty  Moorish  maidens  were  sent 
to  the  queen  Joanna  of  Naples,  sister  to  king 
Ferdinand,  and  thirty  to  the  queen  of  Portugal. 
Isabella  made  presents  of  others  to  the  ladies 
of  her  household,  and  of  the  noble  families  of 
Spain. 

Among  the  inhabitants  of  Malaga  were  four 
hundred  and  fifty  Moorish  Jews,  for  the  most  part 
women,  speaking  the  Arabic  language,  and  dressed 
in  the  Moresco  fashion.  These  were  ransomed 
by  a wealthy  Jew  of  Castile,  farmer-general  of 
the  royal  revenues  derived  from  the  Jews  of 
Spain.  He  agreed  to  make  up,  within  a certain 
time,  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  doblas,  or  pis- 
toles of  gold ; all  the  money  and  jewels  of  the 
captives  being  taken  in  part  payment.  They 
were  sent  to  Castile,  in  two  armed  galleys.  As 


422 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


to  Ali  Dordux,  such  favors  and  honors  were 
heaped  upon  him  by  the  Spanish  sovereigns  for 
his  considerate  mediation  in  the  surrender,  that 
the  disinterestedness  of  his  conduct  has  often  been 
called  in  question.  He  was  appointed  chief  justice 
and  alcayde  of  the  Mudaxares  or  Moorish  subjects, 
and  was  presented  with  twenty  houses,  one  public 
bakery,  and  several  orchards,  vineyards,  and  tracts 
of  open  country.  He  retired  to  Antiquera,  where 
he  died  several  years  afterwards,  leaving  his  estate 
and  name  to  his  son  Mohammed  Dordux.  The 
latter  embraced  the  Christian  faith,  as  did  his  wife, 
the  daughter  of  a Moorish  noble.  On  being 
baptized  he  received  the  name  of  Don  Fernando 
de  Malaga,  his  wife  that  of  Isabella,  after  the 
queen.  They  were  incorporated  with  the  nobility 
of  Castile,  and  their  descendants  still  bear  the 
name  of  Malaga.^ 

As  to  the  great  mass  of  Moorish  inhabitants, 
they  implored  that  they  might  not  be  scattered 
and  sold  into  captivity,  but  might  be  permitted  to 
ransom  themselves  by  an  amount  paid  within  a 
certain  time.  Upon  this,  king  Ferdinand  took 
the  advice  of  certain  of  his  ablest  counselors : 
they  said  to  him,  “ If  you  hold  out  a prospect  of 
hopeless  captivity,  the  infidels  will  throw  all  their 
gold  and  jewels  into  wells  and  pits,  and  you  will 
lose  the  greater  part  of  the  spoil ; but  if  you  fix 
a general  rate  of  ransom,  and  receive  their  money 
and  jewels  in  part  payment,  nothing  will  be  de- 
stroyed. The  king  relished  greatly  this  advice ; 

1 Convermciones  Malaguenas^  26,  as  cited  by  Alcantara  iu 
^ History  of  Granada^  vol.  4,  c.  18. 


HARD  CONDITIONS. 


423 


and  it  was  arranged  that  all  the  inhabitants  should 
be  ransomed  at  the  general  rate  of  thirty  doblas 
or  pistoles  in  gold  for  each  individual,  male  or 
female,  large  or  small ; that  all  their  gold,  jewels, 
and  other  valuables,  should  be  received  immedi- 
ately in  part  payment  of  the  general  amount,  and 
that  the  residue  should  be  paid  within  eight 
months ; that  if  any  of  the  number,  actually  liv- 
ing, should  die  in  the  interim,  their  ransom  should 
nevertheless  be  paid.  If,  however,  the  whole  of 
the  amount  were  not  paid  at  the  expiration  of  the 
eight  months,  they  should  all  be  considered  and 
treated  as  slaves. 

The  unfortunate  Moors  were  eager  to  catch 
at  the  least  hope  of  future  liberty,  and  consented 
to  these  hard  conditions.  The  most  rigorous  pre- 
cautions were  taken  to  exact  them  to  the  utter- 
most. The  inhabitants  were  numbered  by  houses 
and  families,  and  their  names  taken  down ; their 
most  precious  effects  were  made  up  into  parcels, 
and  sealed  and  inscribed  with  their  names  ; and 
they  were  ordered  to  repair  with  them  to  certain 
large  corrales  or  inclosures  adjoining  the  Alcazaba, 
which  were  surrounded  by  high  walls  and  over- 
looked by  watch-towers,  to  which  places  the  caval- 
gadas  of  Christian  captives  had  usually  been 
driven,  to  be  confined  until  the  time  of  sale,  like 
cattle  in  a market.  The  Moors  were  obliged  to 
leave  their  houses  one  by  one ; all  their  money, 
necklaces,  bracelets,  and  anklets  of  gold,  pearl, 
eoral,  and  precious  stones,  were  taken  from  them 
at  the  threshold,  and  their  persons  so  rigorously 
aearched  that  they  carried  off  nothing  concealed. 


424 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Then  might  be  seen  old  men  and  helpless 
women,  and  tender  maidens,  some  of  high  birth 
and  gentle  condition,  passing  through  the  streets, 
heavily  burdened,  towards  the  Alcazaba.  As 
they  left  their  homes,  they  smote  their  breasts, 
and  wrung  their  hands,  and  raised  their  weeping 
eyes  to  Heaven  in  anguish ; and  this  is  recorded 
as  their  plaint : “ O Malaga ! city  so  renowned 
and  beautiful ! where  now  is  the  strength  of  thy 
castle,  where  the  grandeur  of  thy  towers  ? Of 
what  avail  have  been  thy  mighty  walls,  for  the 
protection  of  thy  children ! Behold  them  driven 
from  thy  pleasant  abodes,  doomed  to  drag  out  a 
life  of  bondage  in  a foreign  land,  and  to  die  far 
from  the  home  of  their  infancy ! What  will  be- 
come of  thy  old  men  and  matrons,  when  their 
gray  hairs  shall  be  no  longer  reverenced?  What 
will  become  of  thy  maidens,  so  delicately  reared 
and  tenderly  cherished,  when  reduced  to  hard 
and  menial  servitude  ? Behold,  thy  once  happy 
families  scattered  asunder,  never  again  to  be 
united ; sons  separated  from  their  fathers,  hus- 
bands from  their  wives,  and  tender  children  from 
their  mothers : they  will  bewail  each  other  in 
foreign  lands,  but  their  lamentations  will  be  the 
scoff  of  the  stranger.  O Malaga ! city  of  our 
birth ! who  can  behold  thy  desolation,  and  not 
shed  tears  of  bitterness  ! ” ^ 

When  Malaga  was  completely  secured,  a de- 
tachment was  sent  against  two  fortresses  near  the 
sea,  called  Mixas  and  Osuna,  which  had  fre- 
quently harassed  the  Christian  camp.  The  in- 
Pulgar,  Reyes  CatolicoSj  c.  93. 


FINAL  DISPOSITION  OF  THE  PRISONERS.  ,425 

habitants  were  threatened  with  the  sword,  unless 
they  instantly  surrendered.  They  claimed  the 
same  terms  that  had  been  granted  to  Malaga, 
imagining  them  to  be  freedom  of  person  and  se- 
curity of  property.  Their  claim  was  granted; 
they  were  transported  to  Malaga  with  all  their 
riches,  and,  on  arriving  there,  were  overwhelmed 
with  consternation  at  finding  themselves  captives. 
“ Ferdinand,”  observes  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ was  a man  of  his  word ; they  were  shut  up  in 
the  inclosure  at  the  Alcazaba,  with  the  people  of 
Malaga,  and  shared  their  fate.” 

The  unhappy  captives  remained  thus  crowded 
in  the  court-yards  of  the  Alcazaba,  like  sheep  in 
a fold,  until  they  could  be  sent  by  sea  and  land 
to  Seville.  They  were  then  distributed  about  in 
city  and  country,  each  Christian  family  having 
one  or  more  to  feed  and  maintain  as  servants, 
until  the  term  fixed  for  the  payment  of  the  resi- 
due of  the  ransom  should  expire.  The  captives 
had  obtained  permission  that  several  of  their 
number  should  go  about  among  the  Moorish 
towns  of  the  kingdom  of  Granada,  collecting 
contributions  to  aid  in  the  purchase  of  their  liber- 
ties ; but  these  towns  were  too  much  impover- 
ished by  the  war,  and  engrossed  by  their  own 
distresses,  to  lend  a listening  ear : so  the  time 
expired  without  the  residue  of  the  ransom  being 
paid,  and  all  the  captives  of  Malaga,  to  the  num- 
ber, as  some  say,  of  eleven,  and  others  of  fifteen 
thousand,  became  slaves ! “ Never,”  exclaims 

the  worthy  Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  in  one  of  his 
usual  bursts  of  zeal  and  loyalty,  “never  has 


426 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


there  been  recorded  a more  adroit  and  sagacious 
arrangement  than  this  made  by  the  Catholic 
monarch,  by  which  he  not  only  secured  all  the 
property  and  half  of  the  ransom  of  these  infidels, 
but  finally  got  possession  of  their  persons  into 
the  bargain.  This  truly  may  be  considered  one 
of  the  greatest  triumphs  of  the  pious  and  politie 
Ferdinand,  and  as  raising  him  above  the  general- 
ity of  conquerors,  who  have  merely  the  valor  to 
gain  victories,  but  lack  the  prudence  and  man- 
agement necessary  to  turn  them  to  account.”  ^ 

1 The  detestable  policy  of  Ferdinand  in  regard  to  the 
Moorish  captives  of  Malaga  is  recorded  at  length  by  the  cu- 
rate of  los  Palacios  (c.  87),  a contemporary,  a zealous  admirer 
of  the  king,  and  one  of  the  most  honest  of  chroniclers;  who 
really  thought  he  was  recording  a notable  instance  of  saga- 
cious piety. 


CHAPTER  LXVII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  prepared  to  carry  the  War  into  a Dif- 
ferent Part  of  the  Territories  of  the  Moors. 


HE  western  part  of  the  kingdom  of  Gra- 
nada had  now  been  conquered  by  the 
Christian  arms.  The  seaport  of  Malaga 
was  captured  ; the  fierce  and  warlike  inhabitants 
of  the  Serrania  de  Rorida,  and  the  other  moun- 
tain-holds of  the  frontier,  were  all  disarmed,  and 
reduced  to  peaceful  and  laborious  vassalage  ; their 
haughty  fortresses,  which  had  so  long  overawed 
the  valleys  of  Andalusia,  now  displayed  the  stan- 
dard of  Castile  and  Aragon ; the  watch-towers, 
which  crowned  every  height,  whence  the  infidels 
had  kept  a vulture  eye  over  the  Christian  terri- 
tories, were  now  either  dismantled,  or  garrisoned 
with  Catholic  troops.  “ What  signalized  and 
sanctified  this  great  triumph,”  adds  the  worthy 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  were  the  emblems  of 
ecclesiastical  domination  which  everywhere  ap- 
peared. In  every  direction  rose  stately  convents 
and  monasteries,  those  fortresses  of  the  faith,  gar- 
risoned by  its  spiritual  soldiery  of  monks  and 
friars.  The  sacred  melody  of  Christian  bells  was 
again  heard  among  the  mountains,  calling  to  early 


428 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


matins,  or  sounding  tlie  Angeles  at  the  solemn 
hour  of  evening.”  ^ 

While  this  part  of  the  kingdom  was  thus  re- 
duced by  the  Christian  sword,  the  central  part, 
round  the  city  of  Granada,  forming  the  heart  of 
the  Moorish  territory,  was  held  in  vassalage  of 
the  Castilian  monarch,  by  Boabdil  surnamed  el 
Chico.  That  unfortunate  prince  lost  no  occasion 
to  propitiate  the  conquerors  of  his  country  by 
acts  of  homage,  and  by  professions  that  must  have 
been  foreign  to  his  heart.  No  sooner  had  he 
heard  of  the  capture  of  Malaga,  than  he  sent 
congratulations  to  the  Catholic  sovereigns,  accom- 
panied with  presents  of  horses  richly  caparisoned 
for  the  king,  and  precious  cloth  of  gold  and  orien- 
tal perfumes  for  the  queen.  His  congratulations 
and  his  presents  were  received  with  the  utmost 
graciousness  ; and  the  short-sighted  prince,  lulled 
by  the  temporary  and  politic  forbearance  of  Fer- 
dinand, flattered  himself  that  he  was  securing  the 
lasting  friendship  of  that  monarch. 

The  policy  of  Boabdil  had  its  transient  and  su- 
perficial advantages.  The  portion  of  Moorish  ter- 
ritory under  his  immediate  sway  had  a respite  from 
the  calamities  of  war  : the  husbandmen  cultivated 
their  luxuriant  fields  in  security,  and  the  vega  of 
Granada  once  more  blossomed  like  the  rose.  The 
merchants  again  carried  on  a gainful  traffic  ; the 
gates  of  the  city  were  thronged  with  beasts  of  bur- 
den, bringing  the  rich  products  of  every  clime. 

1 The  worthy  curate  of  los  Palacios  intimates  in  his  Chron- 
icle, that  this  melody,  so  grateful  to  the  ears  of  pious  Chris- 
tians, was  a source  of  perpetual  torment  to  the  ears  of  infidels. 


EL  ZAGADS  TERRITORIES. 


429 


Yet,  while  the  people  of  Granada  rejoiced  in  their 
teeming  fields  and  crowded  marts,  they  secretly 
despised,  the  policy  which  procured  them  these 
advantages,  and  held  Boabdil  for  little  better 
than  an  apostate  and  an  unbeliever.  Muley  Ab- 
dallah el  Zagal  was  now  the  hope  of  the  uncon- 
quered part  of  the  kingdom  ; and  every  Moor, 
whose  spirit  was  not  quite  subdued  with  his  for- 
tunes, lauded  the  valor  of  the  old  monarch,  and 
his  fidelity  to  the  faith,  and  wished  success  to  his 
standard. 

^ : El  Zagal,  though  he  no  longer  sat  enthroned 
in  the  Alhambra,  yet  reigned  over  more  consider- 
able domains  than  his  nephew.  His  territories 
extended  from  the  frontiers  of  Jaen  along  the 
borders  of  Murcia  to  the  Mediterranean,  and 
reached  into  the  centre  of  the  kingdom.  On  the 
northeast  he  held  the  cities  of  Baza  and  Guadix; 
situated  in  the  midst  of  fertile  resfions.  He  had 
the  important  seaport  of  Almeria,  also,  which  at 
one  time  rivaled  Granada  itself  in  wealth  and 
population.  Besides  these,  his  territories  included 
a great  part  of  the  Alpuxarra  mountains,  which 
extend  across  the  kingdom  and  shoot  out  branches 
towards  the  sea-coast.  This  mountainous  region 
was  a stronghold  of  wealth  and  power.  Its  stern 
and  rocky  heights,  rising  to  the  clouds,  seemed  to 
set  invasion  at  defiance ; yet  within  their  rugged 
embraces  were  sheltered  delightful  valleys,  of  the 
happiest  temperature  and  richest  fertility.  The 
cool  springs  and  limpid  rills  which  gushed  out  in 
all  parts  of  the  mountains,  and  the  abundant 
streams,  which,  for  a great  part  of  the  year,  were 


430 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


supplied  by  the  Sierra  Nevada,  spread  a perpetual 
verdure  over  the  skirts  and  slopes  of  the  hills,  and, 
collecting  in  silver  rivers  in  the  valleys,  wpund 
along  among  plantations  of  mulberry  trees,  and 
groves  of  oranges  and  citrons,  of  almonds,  figs, 
and  pomegranates.  Here  was  produced  the  finest 
silk  of  Spain,  which  gave  employment  to  thou- 
sands of  manufacturers.  The  sunburnt  sides  of 
the  hills,  also,  were  covered  with  vineyards  ; the 
abundant  herbage  of  the  mountain  ravines,  and 
the  rich  pasturage  of  the  valleys,  fed  vast  flocks 
and  herds  ; and  even  the  arid  and  rocky  bosoms 
of  the  heights  teemed  with  wealth,  from  the  mines 
of  various  metals  with  which  they  were  impreg- 
nated. In  a word,  the  Alpuxarra  mountains  had 
ever  been  the  great  source  of  revenue  to  the  mon- 
archs  of  Granada.  Their  inhabitants,  also,  were 
hardy  and  warlike,  and  a sudden  summons  from 
the  Moorish  king  could  at  any  time  call  forth  fifty 
thousand  fighting  men  from  their  rocky  fastnesses. 

Such  was  the  rich  but  rugged  fragment  of  an 
empire  which  remained  under  the  sway  of  the  old 
warrior  monarch  El  Zagal.  The  mountain  bar- 
riers by  which  it  was  locked  up,  had  protected  it 
from  most  of  the  ravages  of  the  present  war.  El 
Zagal  prepared  himself,  by  strengthening  every 
fortress,  to  battle  fiercely  for  its  maintenance.  ^ 

The  Catholic  sovereigns  saw  that  fresh  troubles 
and  toils  awaited  them.  The  war  had  to  be  car- 
ried into  a new  quarter  demanding  immense  ex- 
penditures ; and  new  ways  and  means  must  be 
devised  to  replenish  their  exhausted  coffers.  As 
this  was  a holy  war,  however,”  says  Fray  Antonio 


PUNISHMENT  OF  JUDAISM. 


431 


Agapida,  “ and  peculiarly  redounded  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  church,  the  clergy  were  full  of  zeal, 
and  contributed  vast  sums  of  money  and  large 
bodies  of  troops.  A pious  fund  was  also  produced, 
from  the  first  fruits  of  that  glorious  institution, 
the  Inquisition.” 

It  so  happened,  that  about  this  time  there  were 
many  families  of  wealth  and  dignity  in  the  king- 
doms of  Aragon  and  Valentia,  and  the  principality 
of  Catalonia,  whose  forefathers  had  been  Jews, 
but  had  been  converted  to  Christianity.  Not- 
withstanding the  outward  piety  of  these  families, 
it  was  surmised,  and  soon  came  to  be  strongly  sus- 
pected, that  many  of  them  had  a secret  hankering 
after  Judaism  ; and  it  was  even  whispered,  that 
some  of  them  practiced  Jewish  rites  in  private. 

The  Catholic  monarch  (continues  Agapida)  had 
a righteous  abhorrence  of  all  kinds  of  heresy,  and  a 
fervent  zeal  for  the  faith : he  ordered,  therefore,  a 
strict  investigation  of  the  conduct  of  these  pseudo 
Christians.  Inquisitions  were  sent  into  these 
provinces  for  the  purpose,  who  proceeded  with 
their  accustomed  zeal.  The  consequence  was,  that 
many  families  were  convicted  of  apostacy  from  the 
Christian  faith,  and  of  the  private  practice  of 
Judaism.  Some,  who  had  grace  and  policy  suffi- 
cienf  to  reform  in  time,  were  again  received  into 
the  Christian  fold,  after  being  severely  mulcted 
and  condemned  to  heavy  penance ; others  were 
burnt  at  auto  dsfes,  for  the  edification  of  the 
public,  and  their  property  was  confiscated  for  the 
good  of  the  state. 

As  these  Hebrews  were  of  great  wealth,  and  had 


432 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


an  hereditary  passion  for  jewelry,  there  was  found 
abundant  store  in  their  possession  of  gold  and  sil- 
ver, of  rings  and  necklaces,  and  strings  of  pearl 
and  coral,  and  precious  stones  ; — treasures  easy  of 
transportation,  and  wonderfully  adapted  for  the 
emergencies  of  war.  “ In*  this  way,’’  concludes 
the  pious  Agapida,  “ these  backsliders,  by  the 
all-seeing  contrivances  of  Providence,  were  made 
to  serve  the  righteous  cause  which  they  had  so 
treacherously  deserted  ; and  their  apostate  wealth 
was  sanctified  by  being  devoted  to  the  service  of 
Heaven  and  the  crown,  in  this  holy  crusade 
against  the  infidels.” 

It  must  be  added,  however,  that  these  pious 
financial  expedients  received  some  check  from  the 
interference  of  queen  Isabella.  Her  penetrating 
eyes  discovered  that  many  enormities  had  been 
committed  under  color  of  religious  zeal,  and  many 
innocent  persons  accused  by  false  witnesses  of 
apostacy,  either  through  malice  or  a hope  of  ob- 
taining their  wealth : she  caused  strict  investiga- 
tion, therefore  into  the  proceedings  which  had 
been  held ; many  of  wliich  were  reversed,  and 
suborners  punished  in  proportion  to  their  guilt.  ^ 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  c.  100. 


CHAPTER  LXVIII. 

How  King  Ferdinand  invaded  the  Eastern  Side  of  the  King- 
dom of  Granada,  and  how  he  was  received  by  El  Zagal. 

I^I^ULEY  ABDALLAH  EL  ZAGAL/^ 
gi  says  the  venerable  Jesuit  father,  Pedro 
Abarca,  ‘‘  was  the  most  venomous  Ma- 
hometan in  all  Morisma : ” and  the  worthy  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida  most  devoutly  echoes  his  opin- 
ion. Certainly,’’  adds  the  latter,  none  ever 
opposed  a more  heathenish  and  diabolical  obsti- 
nacy to  the  holy  inroads  of  the  cross  and  sword.’^ 
El  Zagal  felt  that  it  was  necessary  to  do  some- 
thing to  quicken  his  popularity  with  the  people, 
and  that  nothing  was  more  effectual  than  a suc- 
cessful inroad.  The  Moors  loved  the  stirring  call 
to  arms,  and  a wild  foray  among  the  mountains ; 
and  delighted  more  in  a hasty  spoil,  wrested  with 
hard  fighting  from  the  Christians,  than  in  all  the 
steady  and  certain  gains  secured  by  peaceful  traf- 
fic. 

There  reigned  at  this  time  a careless  security 
along  the  frontier  of  Jaen.  The  alcaydes  of  the 
Christian  fortresses  were  confident  of  the  friend- 
ship of  Boabdil  el  Chico,  and  they  fancied  his 
uncle  too  distant  and  too  much  engrossed  by  his 
own  perplexities,  to  think  of  molesting  them.  On 
a sudden,  El  Zagal  issued  out  of  Guadix  with  a 
28 


434 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


chosen  band,  passed  rapidly  through  the  moun- 
tains which  extend  behind  Granada,  and  fell  like 
a thunderbolt  upon  the  territories  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Alcala  la  Real.  Before  the  alarm 
could  be  spread  and  the  frontier  roused,  he  had 
made  a wide  career  of  destruction  through  the 
country,  sacking  and  burning  villages,  sweeping 
off  flocks  and  herds,  and  carrying  away  captives. 
The  warriors  of  the  frontier  assembled ; but  El 
Zagal  was  already  far  on  his  return  through  the 
mountains,  and  he  reentered  the  gates  of  Gua- 
dix  in  triumph,  his  army  laden  with  Christian 
spoil,  and  conducting  an  immense  cavalgada. 
Such  was  one  of  El  ZagaPs  preparatives  for  the 
expected  invasion  of  the  Christian  king,  exciting 
the  warlike  spirit  of  bis  people,  and  gaining  for 
himself  a transient  popularity. 

King  Ferdinand  assembled  his  army  at  Murcia, 
in  the  spring  of  1488.  He  left  that  city  on  the 
fifth  of  June,  with  a flying  camp  of  four  thousand 
horse  and  fourteen  thousand  foot.  The  marques 
of  Cadiz  led  the  van,  followed  by  the  adelantado 
of  Murcia.  The  army  entered  the  Moorish  fron- 
tier by  the  sea-coast,  spreading  terror  through  the 
land ; wherever  it  appeared  the  towns  surrendered 
without  a blow,  so  great  was  the  dread  of  experi- 
encing the  woes  which  had  desolated  the  opposite 
frontier.  In  this  way,  Vera,  Velez  el  Rubio, 
Velez  el  Blanco,  and  many  towns  of  inferior  note, 
to  the  number  of  sixty,  yielded  at  the  first  sum- 
mons. 

It  was  not  until  it  approached  Almeria,  that 
the  army  met  with  resistance.  This  important 


FERDINAND  MEETS  EL  ZAGAL.  435 


city  was  commanded  by  the  prince  Zelim,  a rela- 
tion of  El  Zagal.  He  led  forth  his  Moors  bravely 
to  the  encounter,  and  skirmished  fiercely  with  the 
advanced  guard  in  the  gardens  near  the  city. 
King  Ferdinand  came  up  with  the  main  body  of 
the  army,  and  called  off  his  troops  from  the  skir- 
mish. Fie  saw  that  to  attack  the  place  with  his 
present  force  was  fruitless.  Flaving  reconnoitered 
tlie  city  and  its  environs,  therefore,  against  a fu- 
ture campaign,  he  retired  with  his  army  and 
marched  towards  Baza. 

The  old  warrior  El  Zagal  was  bimself  drawn 
up  in  the  city  of  Baza,  with  a powerful  garrison. 
He  felt  confidence  in  the  strength  of  the  place, 
and  rejoiced  when  he  heard  that  the  Christian 
king  was  approaching.  In  the  valley  in  front  of 
Baza,  there  extended  a great  tract  of  gardens, 
like  a continued  grove,  intersected  by  canals  and 
water-courses.  In  this  he  stationed  an  ambuscade 
of  arquebussiers  and  cross-bowmen.  The  van- 
guard of  the  Christian  army  came  marching  gayly 
up  the  valley,  with  great  sound  of  drum  and 
trumpet,  and  led  on  by  the  marques  of  Cadiz  and 
the  adelantado  of  Murcia.  As  they  drew  near,  El 
Zagal  sallied  forth  with  horse  and  foot,  and  at- 
tacked them  for  a time  with  great  spirit.  Gradu- 
ally falling  back,  as  if  pressed  by  their  superior 
valor,  he  drew  the  exulting  Christians  among  the 
gardens.  Suddenly  the  Moors  in  ambuscade  burst 
from  their  concealment,  and  opened  such  a fire  in 
flank  and  rear,  that  many  of  the  Christians  were 
slain,  and  the  rest  thrown  into  confusion.  King 
Ferdinand  arrived  in  time  to  see  the  disastrous 


436 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


situation  of  his  troops,  and  gave  signal  for  the 
van-guard  to  retire. 

El  Zagal  did  not  permit  the  foe  to  draw  off  un- 
molested. Ordering  out  fresh  squadrons,  he  fell 
upon  the  rear  of  the  retreating  troops  with  tri- 
umphant shouts,  driving  them  before  him  with 
dreadful  havoc.  The  old  war-cry  of  “ El  Zagal ! 
El  Zagal ! ” was  again  put  up  by  the  Moors,  and 
echoed  with  transport  from  the  walls  of  the  city. 
The  Christians  were  in  imminent  peril  of  a com- 
plete rout,  when  fortunately  the  adelantado  of 
Murcia  threw  himself  with  a large  body  of  horse 
and  foot  between  the  pursuers  and  the  pursued, 
covering  the  retreat  of  the  latter  and  giving  them 
time  to  rally.  The  Moors  were  now  attacked  so 
vigorously  in  turn,  that  they  gave  over  the  contest, 
and  drew  back  slowly  into  the  city.  Many  val- 
iant cavaliers  were  slain  in  this  skirmish ; among 
the  number  was  Don  Philip  of  Aragon,  master  of 
the  chivalry  of  St.  George  of  Montesor ; he  was 
illegitimate  son  of  the  king’s  illegitimate  brother 
Don  Carlos,  and  his  death  was  greatly  bewailed 
by  Ferdinand.  He  had  formerly  been  archbishop 
of  Palermo,  but  had  doffed  the  cassock  for  the 
cuirass,  and,  according  to  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
had  gained  a glorious  crown  of  martyrdom  by 
falling  in  this  holy  war. 

The  warm  reception  of  his  advance  guard, 
brought  king  Ferdinand  to  a pause : he  encamped 
on  the  banks  of  the  neighboring  river  Guadal- 
quiton,  and  began  to  consider  whether  he  had 
acted  wisely  in  undertaking  this  campaign  with 
his  present  force.  His  late  successes  had  prob- 


CLOSE  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN. 


437 


ably  leiidered  him  over-confident : El  Zagal  had 
again  schooled  him  into  his  characteristic  caution. 
He  saw  that  the  old  warrior  was  too  formidably 
ensconced  in  Baza,  to  be  dislodged  by  anything 
except  a powerful  army  and  battering  artillery ; 
and  he  feared,  that  should  he  persist  in  his  inva- 
sion, some  disaster  might  befall  his  army,  either 
from  the  enterprise  of  the  foe,  or  from  a pesti- 
lence which  prevailed  in  various  parts  of  the 
country.  He  retired,  therefore,  from  before 
Baza,  as  he  had  on  a former  occasion  from  before 
Loxa,  all  the  wiser  for  a wholesome  lesson  in 
warfare,  but  by  no  means  grateful  to  those  who 
had  given  it,  and  with  a solemn  determination  to 
have  his  revenge  upon  his  teachers, 

He  now  took  measures  for  the  security  of  the 
places  gained  in  this  campaign  ; placing  in  them 
strong  garrisons,  well-armed  and  supplied,  charg- 
ing their  alcaydes  to  be  vigilant  on  their  posts 
and  to  give  no  rest  to  the  enemy.  The  whole  of 
the  frontier  was  placed  under  the  command  of 
Luiz  Fernandez  Puerto  Carrero.  As  it  was 
evident,  from  the  warlike  character  of  El  Zagal, 
that  there  would  be  abundance  of  active  service 
and  hard  fighting,  many  hidalgos  and  young  cav- 
aliers, eager  for  distinction,  remained  with  Puerto 
Carrero. 

All  these  dispositions  being  made,  king  Fer- 
dinand closed  the  dubious  campaign  of  this  year, 
not,  as  usual,  by  returning  in  triumph  at  the  head 
of  his  army  to  some  important  city  of  his  domin- 
ions, but  by  disbanding  the  troops,  and  repairing 
to  pray  at  the  cross  of  Caravaca. 


CHAPTER  LXIX. 

How  the  Moors  made  various  Enterprises  against  the  Chris- 
tians. 


IIILE  the  pious  king  Ferdinand,”  ob- 
serves F ray  Antonio  Agapida,  ‘‘  was 
humbling  himself  before  the  cross,  and 
devoutly  praying  for  the  destruction  of  his  ene- 
mies, that  fierce  pagan,  El  Zagal,  depending 
merely  on  arm  of  flesh  and  sword  of  steel,  pur- 
sued his  diabolical  outrages  upon  the  Christians.” 
No  sooner  was  the  invading  army  disbanded  than 
he  sallied  forth  from  his  stronghold,  and  carried 
fire  and  sword  into  all  those  parts  which  had 
submitted  to  the  Spanish  yoke.  The  castle  of 
Nixar,  being  carelessly  guarded,  was  taken  by 
surprise,  and  its  garrison  put  to  the  sword.  The 
old  warrior  raged  with  sanguinary  fury  about  the 
whole  frontier,  attacking  convoys,  slaying,'  wound 
ing,  and  making  prisoners,  and  coming  by  sur- 
prise upon  the  Christians  wherever  they  were  off 
their  guard. 

Carlos  de  Biedma,  alcayde  of  the  fortress  of 
Culla,  confiding  in  the  strength  of  its  walls  and 
towers,  and  in  its  difficult  situation,  being  built 
on  the  summit  of  a lofty  hill,  and  surrounded  by 
precipices,  ventured  to  absent  himself  from  his 


EL  ZAGADS  ATTACK  ON  CULLA.  489 


post.  He  was  engaged  to  be  married  to  a fair 
and  noble  lady  of  Baeza,  and  repaired  to  that 
city  to  celebrate  his  nuptials,  escorted  by  a bril- 
liant array  of  the  best  horsemen  of  his  garrison. 
Apprised  of  his  absence,  the  vigilant  El  Zagal 
suddenly  appeared  before  Culla  with  a powerful 
force,  stormed  the  town  sword  in  hand,  fought 
the  Christians  from  street  to  street,  and  drove 
them,  with  great  slaughter,  to  the  citadel.  Here 
a veteran  captain,  by  the  name  of  Juan  de  Ava- 
los, a gray-headed  warrior,  scarred  in  many  a 
battle,  assumed  the  command,  and  made  an  ob- 
stinate defense.  Neither  the  multitude  of  the 
enemy,  nor  the  vehemence  of  their  attacks, 
though  led  on  by  the  terrible  El  Zagal  himself, 
had  power  to  shake  the  fortitude  of  this  doughty 
old  soldier. 

The  Moors  undermined  the  outer  walls  and 
one  of  the  towers  of  the  fortress,  and  made 
their  way  into  the  exterior  court.  The  alcayde 
manned  the  tops  of  his  towers,  pouring  down 
melted  pitch,  and  showering  darts,  arrows,  stones, 
and  all  kinds  of  missiles  upon  the  assailants. 
The  Moors  were  driven  out  of  the  court ; but, 
being  reinforced  with  fresh  troops,  returned  re- 
peatedly to  the  assault.  For  five  days  the  com- 
bat was  kept  up : the  Christians  were  nearly  ex- 
hausted, but  were  sustained  by  the  cheerings  of 
their  stanch  old  alcayde,  and  the  fear  of  death 
from  El  Zagal  should  they  surrender.  At  length 
the  approach  of  a powerful  force  under  Don  Luis 
Puerto  Carrero  relieved  them  from  this  fearful 
peril.  El  Zagal  abandoned  the  assault,  but  set 


440 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


fire  to  the  town  in  his  rage  and  disappointment, 
and  retired  to  his  stronghold  of  Guadix. 

The  example  of  El  Zagal  roused  his  adherents 
to  action.  Two  bold  Moorish  alcaydes,  Ali  Alia- 
tar  and  Yzan  Aliatar,  commanding  the  fortresses 
of  Alhenden  and  Salobrena,  laid  waste  the  coun- 
try of  the  subjects  of  Boabdil,  and  the  places 
which  had  recently  submitted  to  the  Christians  : 
they  swept  off  the  cattle,  carried  off  captives,  and 
harassed  the  whole  of  the  newly  conquered  fron- 
tier. 

The  Moors,  also,  of  Almeria,  and  Tavernas, 
and  Purchena,  made  inroads  into  Murcia,  and 
carried  fire  and  sword  into  its  most  fertile  re- 
gions. On  the  opposite  frontier,  also,  among  the 
wild  valleys  and  rugged  recesses  of  the  Sierra 
Bermeja,  or  Red  Mountains,  many  of  the  Moors 
who  had  lately  submitted  again  flew  to  arms. 
The  marques  of  Cadiz  suppressed  by  timely 
vigilance  the  rebellion  of  the  mountain  town  of 
Gausin,  situated  on  a high  peak,  almost  among 
the  clouds ; but  others  of  the  Moors  fortified 
themselves  in  rock-built  towers  and  castles,  in- 
habited solely  by  warriors  ; whence  they  carried 
on  a continual  war  of  forage  and  depredation ; 
sweeping  down  into  the  valleys,  and  carrying  off 
flocks  and  herds  and  all  kinds  of  booty  to  these 
eagle-nests,  to  which  it  was  perilous  and  fruitless 
to  pursue  them. 

The  worthy  father.  Fray  Antonio  Agapida, 
closes  his  history  of  this  checkered  year  in  quite 
a different  strain  from  those  triumphant  periods 
with  which  he  is  accustomed  to  wind  up  the  vie- 


FLOODS  AND  TEMPESTS. 


441 


torioiis  campaigns  of  the  sovereigns.  Great 
and  mighty/’,  says  this  venerable  chronicler, 
“ were  the  hoods  and  tempests  which  prevailed 
throughout  the  kingdoms  of  Castile  and  Aragon 
about  this  time.  It  seemed  as  though  the  win- 
dows of  heaven  were  again  opened,  and  a second 
deluge  overwhelming  the  face  of  nature.  The 
clouds  burst,  as  it  were,  in  cataracts  upon  the 
earth  ; torrents  rushed  down  from  the  mountains, 
overflowing  the  valleys;  brooks  were  swelled 
into  raging  rivers;  houses  were  undermined; 
mills  were  swept  away  by  their  own  streams ; 
the  affrighted  shepherds  saw  their  flocks  drowned 
in  the  midst  of  the  pasture,  and  were  fain  to  take 
refuge  for  their  lives  in  towers  and  high  places. 
The  Guadalquivir  for  a time  became  a roaring 
and  tumultuous  sea,  inundating  the  immense 
plain  of  the  Tablada,  and  filling  the  fair  city  of 
Seville  with  affright. 

A vast  black  cloud  moved  over  the  land,  ac- 
companied by  a hurricane  and  a trembling  of  the 
earth.  Houses  were  unroofed,  the  walls  and 
battlements  of  fortresses  shaken,  and  lofty  towers 
rocked  to  their  foundations.  Ships,  riding  at 
anchor,  were  either  stranded  or  swallowed  up  ; 
others,  under  sail,  were  tossed  to  and  fro  upon 
mountain  waves,  and  cast  upon  the  land,  where 
the  whirlwind  rent  them  in  pieces  and  scattered 
them  in  fragments  in  the  air.  Doleful  was  the 
ruin  and  great  the  terror  where  this  baleful  cloud 
passed  by ; and  it  left  a long  track  of  desolation 
over  sea  and  land.  Some  of  the  faint-hearted,” 
adds  Antonio  Agapida,  ‘‘  looked  upon  this  tor- 


442 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


ment  of  the  elements  as  a prodigious  event,  out 
of  the  course  of  nature.  In  the  weakness  of 
their  fears,  they  connected  it  with  those  troubles 
which  occurred  in  various  places,  considering  it 
a portent  of  some  great  calamity,  about  to  be 
wrought  by  the  violence  of  the  bloody-handed  El 
Zagal  and  his  fierce  adherents.”  ^ 

1 See  Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  91.  Palencia,  De  Bello 
Graiiad.  lib.  8. 


CHAPTER  LXX. 

How  King  Ferdinand  prepared  to  besiege  the  City  of  Baza, 
and  how  the  City  prepared  for  Defense. 

HHE  stormy  winter  had  passed  away,  and 
the  spring  of  1489  was  advancing  ; yet 

the  heavy  rains  had  broken  up  the  roads, 

the  mountain  brooks  were  swollen  to  raging  tor- 
rents, and  the  late  shallow  and  peaceful  rivers 
were  deep,  turbulent,  and  dangerous.  The  Chris- 
tian troops  had  been  summoned  to  assemble  in 
early  spring  on  the  frontiers  of  Jaen,  but  were 
slow  in  arriving  at  the  appointed  place.  They 
were  entangled  in  the  miry  defiles  of  the  moun- 
tains, or  fretted  impatiently  on  the  banks  of  im- 
passable floods.  It  was  late  in  the  month  of  May, 
before  they  assembled  in  sufficient  force  to  attempt 
the  proposed  invasion  ; when,  at  length  a valiant 
army,  of  thirteen  thousand  horse  and  forty  thou- 
sand foot,  marched  merrily  over  the  border.  The 
queen  remained  at  the  city  of  Jaen,  with  the 
prince-royal  and  the  princesses  her  children,  ac- 
companied and  supported  by  the  venerable  car- 
dinal of  Spain,  and  those  reverend  prelates  who 
assisted  in  her  councils  throughout  this  holy  war. 

The  plan  of  king  Ferdinand  was  to  lay  siege 
to  the  city  of  Baza,  the  key  of  the  remaining  pos- 
sessions of  the  Moor.  That  important  fortress 


444 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


taken,  Guadix  and  Almeria  must  soon  follow,  and 
then  the  power  of  El  Zagal  would  be  at  an  end. 
As  the  Catholic  king  advanced,  he  had  first  to  se- 
cure various  castles  and  strongholds  in  the  vicinity 
of  Baza,  which  might  otherwise  harass  his  army. 
Some  of  these  made  obstinate  resistance,  espe- 
cially the  town  of  Zujar.  The  Christians  as- 
sailed the  walls  with  various  machines,  to  sap 
them  and  batter  them  down.  The  brave  alcayde, 
Hubec  Abdilbar,  opposed  force  to  force  and  engine 
to  engine.  He  manned  his  towers  with  his  bra- 
vest warriors,  who  rained  down  an  iron  shower 
upon  the  enemy  ; and  he  linked  cauldrons  together 
by  strong  chains,  and  cast  fire  from  them,  con- 
suming the  wooden  engines  of  their  assailants, 
and  those  who  managed  them. 

The  siege  was  protracted  for  several  days  : the 
bravery  of  the  alcayde  could  not  save  his  fortress 
from  an  overwhelming  foe,  but  it  gained  him  hon- 
orable terms.  Ferdinand  permitted  the  garrison 
and  the  inhabitants  to  repair  with  their  effects  to 
Baza ; and  the  gallant  Hubec  marched  forth  with 
the  remnant  of  his  force,  and  took  the  way  to 
that  devoted  city. 

The  delays  caused  to  the  invading  army  by 
these  circumstances,  had  been  diligently  improved 
by  El  Zagal,  who  felt  that  he  was  now  making 
his  last  stand  for  empire,  and  that  this  campaign 
would  decide,  whether  he  should  continue  a king, 
or  sink  into  a vassal.  He  was  but  a few  leagues 
from  Baza,  at  the  city  of  Guadix.  This  last  was 
the  most  important  point  of  his  remaining  territo- 
ries, being  a kind  of  bulwark  between  them  and 


BAZA  MENACED. 


445 


the  hostile  city  of  Granada,  the  seat  of  his  neph- 
ew’s power.  Though  he  heard  of  the  tide  of 
war,  therefore,  collecting  and  rolling  towards  the 
city  of  Baza,  he  dared  not  go  in  person  to  its  as- 
sistance. He  dreaded  that  should  he  leave  Gua- 
dix,  Boabdil  would  attack  him  in  rear  whhe  the 
Christian  army  was  battling  with  him  in  front. 
El  Zagal  trusted  in  the  great  strength  of  Baza, 
to  defy  any  violent  assault,  and  profited  by  the 
delays  of  the  Christian  army,  to  supply  it  with 
all  possible  means  of  defense.  He  sent  thither 
ail  the  troops  he  could  spare  from  his  garrison  of 
Guadix,  and  dispatched  missives  throughout  his 
territories,  calling  upon  all  true  Moslems  to  hasten 
to  Baza,  and  make  a devoted  stand  in  defense  of 
their  homes,  their  liberties,  and  their  religion. 
The  cities  of  Tavernas  and  Purchena,  and  the 
surrounding  heights  and  valleys,  responded  to  his 
orders,  and  sent  forth  their  fighting  men  to  the 
field.  The  rocky  fastnesses  of  the  Alpuxarras 
resounded  with  the  din  of  arms  ; troops  of  horse 
and  bodies  of  foot-soldiers  were  seen  winding 
down  the  rugged  cliffs  and  defiles  of  those  mar- 
ble mountains,  and  hastening  towards  Baza.  Many 
brave  cavaliers  of  Granada  also,  spurning  the  quiet 
and  security  of  Christian  vassalage,  secretly  left 
the  city  and  hastened  to  join  their  fighting  country- 
men. The  great  dependence  of  El  Zagal,  how- 
ever, was  upon  the  valor  and  loyalty  of  his  cousin 
and  brother-in-law,  Cid  Hiaya  Alnayar,^  who 

1 This  name  has  generally  been  written  Cidi  Yahye.  The 
oresent  mode  is  adopted  on  the  authority  of  Alcantara  in  his 
laistory  of  Granada;  who  appears  to  have  derived  it  from 


446  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 

was  alcayde  of  Almeria,  — a cavalier  experienced 
in  warfare  and  redoubtable  in  the  field.  He 
wrote  to  him  to  leave  Almeria,  and  repair  with 
all  speed,  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  to  Baza.  Cid 
Hiaya  departed  immediately,  with  ten  thousand 
of  the  bravest  Moors  in  the  kingdom.  These 
were  for  the  most  part  hardy  mountaineers,  tem- 
pered to  sun  and  storm,  and  tried  in  many  a 
combat.  None  equaled  them  for  a sally  or  a 
skirmish.  Tliey  were  adroit  in  executing  a thou- 
sand stratagems,  ambuscadoes,  and  evolutions. 
Impetuous  in  their  assaults,  yet  governed  in  their 
utmost  fury  by  a word  or  sign  from  their  com- 
mander, at  the  sound  of  a trumpet  they  would 
check  themselves  in  the  midst  of  their  career, 
wheel  off  and  disperse  ; and  at  another  sound  of 
a trumpet,  they  would  as  suddenly  reassemble 
and  return  to  the  attack.  They  were  upon  the 
enemy  when  least  expected,  coming  like  a rush- 
ing blast,  spreading  havoc  and  consternation,  and 
then  passing  away  in  an  instant ; so  that  when 
one  recovered  from  the  shock  and  looked  around, 
behold  nothing  was  to  be  seen  or  heard  of  this 
tempest  of  war,  but  a cloud  of  dust  and  the  clatter 
of  retreating  hoofs.^ 

Arabic  manuscripts,  existing  in  the  archives  of  the  marques 
de  Corvera,  descendant  of  Cid  Hiaya.  The  latter  (Cid  Hiaya) 
was  son  of  Aben  Zelim,  a deceased  prince  of  Almeria,  and 
was  a lineal  descendant  from  the  celebrated  Aben  Hud,  sur- 
named  the  Just.  The  wife  of  Cid  Hiaya  was  sister  of  the 
two  Moorish  generals,  Abul  Cacim  and  Reduan  Vanegas,  and 
like  them  the  fruit  of  the  union  of  a Christian  knight,  Don 
Pedro  Vanegas,  with  Cetimerien,  a Moorish  princess, 
ipulgar,  pt.  3,  c.  106. 


THE  MOORISH  COMMANDERS. 


447 


When  Cid  Hiaya  led  his  train  of  ten  thousand 
valiant  warriors  into  the  gates  of  Baza,  the  city 
rang  with  acclamations,  and  for  a time  the  inhab- 
itants thought  themselves  secure.  El  Zagal,  also, 
felt  a glow  of  confidence,  notwithstanding  his  own 
absence  from  the  city.  “ Cid  Hiaya,”  said  he,  “ is 
my  cousin  and  my  brother-in-law  ; related  to  me 
by  blood  and  marriage,  he  is  a second  self : happy 
is  that  monarch  who  has  his  kindred  to  command 
his  armies.” 

With  all  these  reinforcements,  the  garrison  of 
Baza  amounted  to  above  twenty  thousand  men. 
There  were  at  this  time  three  principal  leaders  in 
the  city : Mohammed  Ibu  Hassan,  surnamed  the 
Veteran,  who  was  military  governor  or  alcayde, 
an  old  Moor  of  great  experience  and  discretion ; 
the  second  was  Hamet  Abu  Zali,  who  was  cap- 
tain of  the  troops  stationed  in  the  place ; and  the 
third  was  Hubec  Abdilbar,  late  alcayde  of  Zujar, 
who  had  repaired  hither  with  the  remains  of  his 
garrison.  Over  all  these  Cid  Hiaya  exercised  a 
supreme  command,  in  consequence  of  his  being 
of  the  blood-royal,  and  in  the  especial  confidence 
of  Muley  Abdallah  el  Zagal.  He  was  eloquent 
and  ardent  in  council,  and  fond  of  striking  and 
splendid  achievements  ; but  he  was  a little  prone 
to  be  carried  away  by  the  excitement  of  the  mo- 
ment, and  the  warmth  of  his  imagination.  The 
councils  of  war  of  these  commanders,  therefore, 
were  more  frequently  controlled  by  the  opinions 
of  the  old  alcayde  Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan,  for 
whose  shrewdness,  caution,  and  experience,  Cid 
Hiaya  himself  felt  the  greatest  deference. 


448 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


The  city  of  Baza  was  situated  m a great  val 
ley,  eight  leagues  in  length  and  three  in  breadth, 
called  the  Hoy  a,  or  basin  of  Baza.  It  was  sur- 
rounded by  a range  of  mountains,  called  the 
Sierra  of  Xabalcohol,  the  streams  of  which,  col- 
lecting themselves  into  two  rivers,  watered  and 
fertilized  the  country.  The  city  was  built  in  the 
plain  ; one  part  of  it  protected  by  the  rocky  pre- 
cipices of  the  mountain,  and  by  a powerful  cita- 
del ; the  other  by  massive  walls,  studded  with 
immense  towers.  It  had  suburbs  towards  the 
plain,  imperfectly  fortified  by  earthen  walls.  In 
front  of  these  suburbs  extended  a tract  of  orchards 
and  gardens  nearly  a league  in  length,  so  thickly 
planted  as  to  resemble  a continued  forest.  Here, 
every  citizen  who  could  afford  it,  had  his  little 
plantation,  and  his  garden  of  fruits  and  flowers 
and  vegetables,  watered  by  canals  and  rivulets, 
and  dominated  by  a small  tower  for  recreation  or 
defense.  This  wilderness  of  groves  and  gardens, 
intersected  in  all  parts  by  canals  and  runs  of 
water,  and  studded  by  above  a thousand  small 
towers,  formed  a kind  of  protection  to  this  side 
of  the  city,  rendering  all  approach  extremely  dif- 
ficult and  perplexed. 

While  the  Christian  army  had  been  detained 
before  the  frontier  posts,  the  city  of  Baza  had 
been  a scene  of  hurried  and  unremitting  prepara- 
tion. All  the  grain  of  the  surrounding  valley, 
though  yet  unripe,  was  hastily  reaped  and  borne 
into  the  city,  to  prevent  it  from  yielding  suste- 
nance to  the  enemy.  The  country  was  drained 
of  all  its  supplies  ; flocks  and  herds  were  driven, 


SUMMONS  TO  SURRENDER. 


449 


bleating  and  bellowing,  into  the  gates ; long  trains 
of  beasts  of  burden,  some  laden  with  food,  others 
with  lances,  darts,  and  arms  of  all  kinds,  kept 
pouring  into  the  place.  Already  were  munitions 
collected  sufficient  for  a siege  of  fifteen  months  ; 
still  the  eager  and  hasty  preparation  was  going 
on,  when  the  army  of  Ferdinand  came  in  sight. 

On  one  side  might  be  seen  scattered  parties  of 
foot  and  horse  spurring  to  the  gates,  and  mule- 
teers hurrying  forward  their  burdened  animals, 
all  anxious  to  get  under  shelter  before  the  gath- 
ering storm  ; on  the  other  side,  the  cloud  of  war 
came  sweeping  down  the  valley,  the  roll  of  drum 
or  clang  of  trumpet  resounding  occasionally  from 
its  deep  bosom,  or  the  bright  glance  of  arms  flash- 
ing forth,  like  vivid  lightning,  from  its  columns. 
King  Ferdinand  pitched  his  tents  in  the  valley, 
beyond  the  green  labyrinth  of  gardens.  He  sent 
his  heralds  to  summon  the  city  to  surrender, 
promising  the  most  favorable  terms  in  case  of  im- 
mediate compliance,  and  avowing  in  the  most  sol- 
emn terms  his  resolution  never  to  abandon  the 
siege  until  he  had  possession  of  the  place. 

Upon  receiving  this  summons,  the  Moorish 
commanders  held  a council  of  war.  The  prince 
Cid  Hiaya,  indignant  at  the  menaces  of  the  king, 
was  for  retorting  by  a declaration  that  the  gar- 
rison never  would  surrender,  but  would  fight 
until  buried  under  the  ruins  of  the  walls.  “ Of 
what  avail,”  said  the  veteran  Mohammed,  “ is  a 
declaration  of  the  kind,  which  we  may  falsify  by 
our  deeds  ? Let  us  threaten  what  we  know  we 
29 


450 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


can  perform,  and  let  us  endeavor  to  perform  more 
than  we  threaten.” 

In  conformity  to  his  advice,  therefore,  a laconic 
reply  was  sent  to  the  Christian  monarch,  thank- 
ing him  for  his  offer  of  favorable  terms,  but  in- 
forming him  that  they  were  placed  in  the  city  to 
defend,  not  to  surrender  it. 


HEN  the  reply  of  the  Moorish  com- 
manders was  brought  to  King  Ferdi- 
nand, he  prepared  to  press  the  siege 
with  the  utmost  rigor.  Finding  the  camp  too 
far  from  the  city,  and  that  the  intervening  or- 
chards afforded  shelter  for  the  sallies  of  the 
Moors,  he  determined  to  advance  it  beyond  the 
gardens,  in  the  space  between  them  and  the  sub- 
urbs, where  his  batteries  would  have  full  play 
upon  the  city  walls.  A detachment  was  sent  in 
advance,  to  take  possession  of  the  gardens,  and 
keep  a check  upon  the  suburbs,  opposing  any 
sally,  while  the  encampment  should  be  formed 
and  fortified.  The  various  commanders  entered 
the  orchards  at  different  points.  The  young  cav- 
aliers marched  fearlessly  forward,  but  the  expe- 
rienced veterans  foresaw  infinite  peril  in  the 
mazes  of  this  verdant  labyrinth.  The  master  of 
St.  Jago,  as  he  led  his  troops  into  the  centre  of 
the  gardens,  exhorted  them  to  keep  by  one  another, 
and  to  press  forward  in  defiance  of  all  difficulty 
or  danger ; assuring  them  that  God  would  give 
them  the  victory,  if  they  attacked  hardily  and 
persisted  resolutely. 


452 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Scarce  had  they  entered  the  verge  of  the  or- 
chards, when  a din  of  drums  and  trumpets,  min- 
gled with  war-cries,  was  heard  from  the  suburbs, 
and  a legion  of  Moorish  warriors  on  foot  poured 
forth.  They  were  led  on  by  the  prince  Cid  Hi- 
aya.  He  saw  the  imminent  danger  of  the  city, 
should  the  Christians  gain  possession  of  the  or- 
chards. ‘‘  Soldiers,”  he  cried,  “ we  fight  for  life 
and  liberty,  for  our  families,  our  country,  our  re- 
ligion ; ^ nothing  is  left  for  us  to  depend  upon, 
but  the  strength  of  our  hands,  the  courage  of  our 
hearts,  and  the  almighty  protection  of  Allah.” 
The  Moors  answered  him  with  shouts  of  war,  and 
rushed  to  the  encounter.  The  two  hosts  met  in 
the  midst  of  the  gardens.  A chance-medley  com- 
bat ensued,  with  lances,  arquebuses,  cross-bows, 
and  scimetars  ; the  perplexed  nature  of  the  ground, 
cut  up  and  intersected  by  canals  and  streams,  the 
closeness  of  the  trees,  the  multiplicity  of  towers 
and  petty  edifices,  gave  greater  advantages  to  the 
Moors,  who  were  on  foot,  than  to  the  Christians, 
who  were  on  horseback.  The  Moors,  too,  knew 
the  ground,  with  all  its  alleys  and  passes ; and 
were  thus  enabled  to  lurk,  to  sally  forth,  attack, 
and  retreat,  almost  without  injury. 

The  Christian  commanders  seeing  this,  ordered 
many  of  the  horsemen  to  dismount  and  fight  on 
foot.  The  battle  then  became  fierce  and  deadly, 
each  disregarding  his  own  life,  provided  he  could 
slay  his  enemy.  It  was  not  so  much  a general 
battle,  as  a multitude  of  petty  actions ; for  every 

1 “ Illi  (Mauri)  pro  fortunis,  pro  libertate.  pro  laribus  patriis, 
pio  vita  denique  certabant.”  — Pietro  Martyr,  Epkt.  70. 


BATTLE  OF  THE  GARDENS. 


453 


orchard  and  garden  had  its  distinct  contest.  No 
one  could  see  further  than  the  little  scene  of  fury 
and  bloodshed  around  him,  nor  know  how  the 
general  battle  fared.  In  vain  the  captains  exer- 
ted their  voices,  in  vain  the  trumpets  brayed  forth 
signals  and  commands  — all  was  confounded  and 
unheard,  in  the  universal  din  and  uproar.  No 
one  kept  to  his  standard,  but  fought  as  his  own 
fury  or  fear  dictated.  In  some  places  the  Chris- 
tians had  the  advantage,  in  others  the  Moors; 
often,  a victorious  party,  pursuing  the  vanquished, 
came  upon  a superior  and  triumphant  force  of 
the  enemy,  and  the  fugitives  turned  back  upon 
them  in  an  overwhelming  wave.  Some  broken 
remnants,  in  their  terror  and  confusion,  fled  from 
their  own  countrymen  and  sought  refuge  among 
their  enemies,  not  knowing  friend  from  foe,  in  the 
obscurity  of  the  groves.  The  Moors  were  more 
adroit  in  these  wild  skirmishings,  from  their  flex- 
ibility, lightness,  and  agility,  and  the  rapidity 
with  which  they  would  disperse,  rally,  and  return 
again  to  the  charge.^ 

The  hardest  fighting  was  about  the  small  gar- 
den towers  and  pavilions,  which  served  as  so 
many  petty  fortresses.  Each  party  by  turns 
gained  them,  defended  them  fiercely,  and  were 
driven  out ; many  of  the  towers  were  set  on  fire, 
and  increased  the  horrors  of  the  fight  by  the 
wreaths  of  smoke  and  flame  in  which  they 
wrapped  the  groves,  and  by  the  shriek^i  of  those 
who  were  burning. 

Several  of  the  Christian  cavaliers,  bewildered 
1 Mariana,  lib.  25,  cap.  13. 


454 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


by  the  uproar  and  confusion,  and  shocked  at  tho 
carnage  which  prevailed,  would  have  led  their 
men  out  of  the  action  ; but  they  were  entangled 
in  a labyrinth,  and  knew  not  which  way  to  re- 
treat. While  in  this  perplexity,  Juan  Perea,  the 
standard-bearer  of  one  of  the  squadrons  of  the 
grand  cardinal,  had  his  arm  carried  off  by  a can- 
non-ball ; the  standard  was  well  nigh  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  when  Podrigo  de  Men- 
doza, an  intrepid  youth,  natural  son  of  the  grand 
cardinal,  rushed  to  its  rescue,  through  a shower 
of  balls,  lances,  and  arrows,  and,  bearing  it  aloft, 
dashed  forward  with  it  into  the  hottest  of  the 
combat,  followed  by  his  shouting  soldiery. 

King  Ferdinand,  who  remained  in  the  skirts 
•of  the  orchard,  was  in  extreme  anxiety.  It  was 
impossible  to  see  much  of  the  action,  for  the  mul- 
tiplicity of  trees  and  towers,  and  the  wreaths  of 
smoke  ; and  those  who  were  driven  out  defeated, 
or  came  out  wounded  and  exhausted,  gave  differ- 
ent accounts,  according  to  the  fate  of  the  partial 
conflicts  in  which  they  had  been  engaged.  Fer- 
dinand exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to  animate 
and  encourage  his  troops  to  this  blind  encounter, 
sending  reinforcements  of  horse  and  foot  to  those 
points  where  the  battle  was  most  sanguinary  and 
doubtful. 

Among  those  who  were  brought  forth  mortally 
wounded  was  Don  Juan  de  Luna,  a youth  of  un- 
common merit,  greatly  prized  by  the  king,  be- 
loved by  the  army,  and  married  to  Dona  Cata- 
lina de  Urrea,  a young  lady  of  distinguished 
beauty.l  They  laid  him  at  the  foot  of  a tree, 
1 Mariana.  P.  Martyr.  Zurita. 


DESPERATE  STRUGGLE, 


455 


and  endeavored  to  stanch  and  bind  up  his  wounds 
with  a scarf  which  his  bride  had  wrought  for 
him ; but  his  life-blood  flowed  too  profusely ; and 
while  a holy  friar  was  yet  administering  to  him 
the  last  sacred  offices  of  the  church,  he  expired, 
almost  at  the  feet  of  his  sovereign. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  veteran  alcayde,  Mo- 
hammed Ibn  Hassan,  surrounded  by  a little  band 
of  chieftains,  kept  an  anxious  eye  upon  the  scene 
of  combat,  from  the  walls  of  the  city.  For 
nearly  twelve  hours  the  battle  raged  without  in 
termission.  The  thickness  of  the  foliage  hid  all  the 
particulars  from  their  sight ; but  they  could  see  the 
flash  of  swords  and  glance  of  helmets  among  the 
trees.  Columns  of  smoke  rose  in  every  direction, 
while  the  clash  of  arms,  the  thundering  of  ribad- 
oquines  and  arquebuses,  the  shouts  and  cries  of 
the  combatants,  and  the  groans  and  supplications 
of  the  wounded,  bespoke  the  deadly  conflict 
waging  in  the  bosom  of  the  groves.  They  were 
harassed,  too,  by  the  shrieks  and  lamentations  of 
the  Moorish  women  and  children,  as  their  wounded 
relatives  were  brought  bleeding  from  the  scene 
of  action ; and  were  stunned  by  a general  outcry 
of  woe  on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants,  as  the  body 
of  Reduan  Zafargal,  a renegado  Christian,  and 
one  of  the  bravest  of  their  generals,  was  borne 
breathless  into  the  city. 

At  length  the  din  of  battle  approa  bed  nearer 
to  the  skirts  of  the  orchard.  They  beheld  their 
warriors  driven  out  from  among  the  groves  by 
fresh  squadrons  of  the  enemy,  and,  after  disputing 
the  ground  inch  by  inch,  obliged  to  retire  to  a 


456 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


place  between  the  orchards  and  the  suburbs, 
which  was  fortified  with  palisadoes. 

The  Christians  immediately  planted  opposing 
palisadoes,  and  established  strong  outposts  near 
to  this  retreat  of  the  Moors,  while,  at  the  same 
time.  King  Ferdinand  ordered  that  his  encamp- 
ment should  be  pitched  within  the  hard-won 
orchards. 

Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan  sallied  forth  to  the 
aid  of  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya,  and  made  a desper- 
ate attempt  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  this  for- 
midable position  ; but  the  night  had  closed,  and 
the  darkness  rendered  it  impossible  to  make  any 
impression.  The  Moors,  however,  kept  up  con- 
stant assaults  and  alarms  throughout  the  night ; 
and  the  weary  Christians,  exhausted  by  the  toils 
and  sufferings  of  the  day,  were  not  allowed  a 
moment  of  repose.^ 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  106, 107.  Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap. 
92.  Zuiita,  lib.  20,  cap.  81. 


CHAPTER  LXXir. 


Siege  of  Baza.  — Embarrassments  of  the  Army. 

HE  morning  sun  rose  upon  a piteous 
scene  before  the  walls  of  Baza.  The 
Christian  outposts,  harassed  throughout 
the  night,  were  pale  and  haggard ; while  the  mul- 
titudes of  slain  which  lay  before  their  palisadoes, 
showed  the  fierce  attacks  they  had  sustained,  and 
the  bravery  of  their  defense. 

Beyond  them  lay  the  groves  and  gardens  of 
Baza ; once  favorite  resorts  for  recreation  and 
delight  — now,  a scene  of  horror  and  desolation. 
The  towers  and  pavilions  were  smoking  ruins ; 
the  canals  and  water-courses  were  discolored  with 
blood,  and  choked  with  the  bodies  of  the  slain. 
Here  and  there  the  ground,  deep  dinted  with  the 
tramp  of  man  and  steed,  and  plashed  and  slippery 
with  gore,  showed  where  had  been  some  fierce 
and  mortal  conflict ; while  the  bodies  of  Moors 
and  Christians,  ghastly  in  death,  lay  half-con- 
cealed among  the  matted  and  trampled  shrubs, 
and  flowers,  and  herbage. 

Amidst  these  sanguinary  scenes  rose  the  Chris- 
tian tents,  hastily  pitched  among  the  gardens  in 
the  preceding  evening.  The  experience  of  the 
night,  however,  and  the  forlorn  aspect  of  every- 


458 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


tiling  in  the  morning,  convinced  king  Ferdinand 
of  the  perils  and  hardships  to  which  his  camp 
must  be  exposed,  in  its  present  situation  ; and, 
after  a consultation  with  his  principal  cavaliers, 
he  resolved  to  abandon  the  orchards. 

It  was  a dangerous  movement,  to  extricate  his 
army  from  so  entangled  a situation,  in  the  face  of 
so  alert  and  daring  an  enemy.  A bold  front  was 
therefore  kept  up  towards  the  city ; additional 
troops  were  ordered  to  the  advanced  posts,  and 
works  begun  as  if  for  a settled  encampment. 
Not  a tent  was  struck  in  the  gardens ; but  in  the 
mean  time,  the  most  active  and  unremitting  exer- 
tions were  made  to  remove  all  the  baggage  and 
furniture  of  the  camp  back  to  the  original  station. 

All  day,  the  Moors  beheld  a formidable  show 
of  war  maintained  in  front  of  the  gardens ; while 
in  the  rear,  the  tops  of  the  Christian  tents,  and 
the  pennons  of  the  different  commanders,  were 
seen  rising  above  the  groves.  Suddenly,  towards 
evening,  the  tents  sank  and  disappeared ; the 
outposts  broke  up  their  stations  and  withdrew, 
and  the  whole  shadow  of  an  encampment  was 
fast  vanishing  from  their  eyes. 

The  Moors  saw  too  late  the  subtle  maneuver 
of  king  Ferdinand.  Cid  Hiaya  again  sallied  forth 
with  a large  force  of  horse  and  foot,  and  pressed 
furiously  upon  the  Christians.  The  latter,  how- 
ever, experienced  in  Moorish  attack,  retired  in 
close  order,  sometimes  turning  upon  the  enemy 
and  driving  them  to  their  barricadoes,  and  then 
pursuing  their  retreat.  In  this  way  the  army 
was  extricated,  without  much  further  loss,  from 
the  perilous  labyrinths  of  the  gardens. 


CHRISTIAN  COUNCIL  OF  WAR.  459 


The  camp  was  now  out  of  danger  ; but  it  was 
also. too  distant  from  the  city  to  do  mischief,  while 
the  Moors  could  sally  forth  and  return  without 
hindrance.  The  king  called  a council  of  war,  to 
consider  in  what  manner  to  proceed.  The  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz  was  for  abandoning  the  siege  for 
the  present,  the  place  being  too  strong,  too  well 
garrisoned  and  provided,  and  too  extensive,  for 
their  limited  forces  either  to  carry  it  by  assault, 
or  invest  and  reduce  it  by  famine  ; while,  in  lin- 
gering before  it,  the  army  would  be  exposed  to 
the  usual  maladies  and  sufferings  of  besieging 
armies,  and,  when  the  rainy  season  came  on,  would 
be  shut  up  by  the  swelling  of  the  rivers.  He 
recommended,  instead,  that  the  king  should  throw 
garrisons  of  horse  and  foot  into  all  the  towns 
captured  in  the  neighborhood,  and  leave  them  to 
keep  up  a predatory  war  upon  Baza,  while  he 
should  overrun  and  ravage  all  the  country ; so 
that,  in  the  following  year,  Almeria  and  Guadix, 
having  all  their  subject  towns  and  territories 
taken  from  them,  might  be  starved  into  submis- 
sion. 

Don  Gutiei*re  de  Cardenas,  senior  commander 
of  Leon,  on  the  other  hand,  maintained  that  to 
abandon  the  siege  would  be  construed  by  the  en- 
emy into  a sign  of  weakness  and  irresolution.  It 
would  give  new  spirits  to  the  partisans  of  El 
Zagal,  and  would  gain  to  his  standard  many  of  the 
wavering  subjects  of  Boabdil,  if  it  did  not  en- 
courage the  fickle  populace  of  Granada  to  open 
rebellion.  He  advised,  therefore,  that  the  siege 
should  be  prosecuted  with  vigor. 


460  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 

The  pride  of  Ferdinand  pleaded  in  favor  of  the 
last  opinion  ; for  it  would  be  doubly  humiliating, 
again  to  return  from  a campaign  in  this  part  of 
the  Moorish  kingdom,  without  effecting  a blow. 
But  when  he  reflected  on  all  that  his  army  had 
suffered,  and  on  all  that  they  must  suffer  should 
the  siege  continue, — especially  from  the  difficulty 
of  obtaining  a regular  supply  of  provisions  for  so 
numerous  a host,  across  a great  extent  of  rugged 
and  mountainous  country,  — he  determined  to 
consult  the  safety  of  his  people,  and  to  adopt  the 
advice  of  the  marques  of  Cadiz. 

When  the  soldiery  heard  that  the  king  was 
about  to  raise  the  siege  in  mere  consideration  of 
their  sufferings,  they  were  filled  with  generous 
enthusiasm,  and  entreated,  as  with  one  voice,  that 
the  siege  might  never  be  abandoned  until  the  city 
surrendered. 

Perplexed  by  conflicting  counsels,  the  king 
dispatched  messengers  to  the  queen  at  Jaen,  re- 
questing her  advice.  Posts  had  been  stationed 
between  them,  in  such  manner  that  missives  from 
the  camp  could  reach  the  queen  within  ten  hours. 
Isabella  sent  instantly  her  reply.  She  left  the 
policy  of  raising  or  continuing  the  siege  to  the 
decision  of  the  king  and  his  captains  ; but  should 
they  determine  to  persevere,  she  pledged  herself, 
with  the  aid  of  God,  to  forward  them  men,  money, 
provisions,  and  all  other  supplies,  until  the  city 
should  be  taken. 

The  reply  of  the  queen  determined  Ferdinand 
to  persevere  ; and  when  his  determination  was 
made  known  to  the  army,  it  was  hailed  with  as 
much  joy  as  if  it  had  been  tidings  of  a victory. 


CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

Siege  of  Baza  continued.  — How  King  Ferdinand  completely 
invested  the  City. 

HE  Moorish  prince  Cid  Hiaya  had  re- 
ceived tidings  of  the  doubts  and  discus- 
sions in  the  Christian  camp,  and  flattered 
himself  with  hopes  that  the  besieging  army  would 
Boon  retire  in  despair,  though  the  veteran  Moham- 
med shook  his  head  with  incredulity.  A sudden 
movement  one  morning  in  the  Christian  camp, 
seemed  to  confirm  the  sanguine  hopes  of  the  prince. 
The  tents  were  struck,  the  artillery  and  baggage 
were  conveyed  away,  and  bodies  of  soldiers  began 
to  march  along  the  valley.  The  momentary  gleam 
of  triumph  was  soon  dispelled.  The  Catholic 
king  had  merely  divided  his  host  into  two  camps, 
the  more  effectually  to  distress  the  city.  One, 
consisting  of  four  thousand  horse  and  eight  thou- 
sand foot,  with  all  the  artillery  and  battering 
engines,  took  post  on  the  side  of  the  city  towards 
the  mountain.  This  was  commanded  by  the 
marques  of  Cadiz,  with  whom  were  Don  Alonzo 
de  Aguilar,  Luis  Fernandez  Puerto  Carrero,  and 
many  other  distinguished  cavaliers. 

The  other  camp  was  commanded  by  the  king, 
having  six  thousand  horse  and  a great  host  of 


462 


CONQUEST  OF  GBANADA. 


foot-soldiers,  the  hardy  mountaineers  of  Biscay, 
Guipuscoa,  Galicia,  and  the  Asturias.  Among 
the  cavaliers  who  were  with  the  king  were  the 
brave  count  de  Tendilla,  Don  Rodrigo  de  Mendoza, 
and  Don  Alonzo  de  Cardenas,  master  of  Santiago. 
The  two  camps  were  wide  asunder,  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  city,  and  between  them  lay  the  thick 
wilderness  of  orchards.  Both  camps  were  there- 
fore fortified  by  great  trenches,  breastworks,  and 
palisadoes.  The  veteran  Mohammed,  as  he  saw 
these  two  formidable  camps  glittering  on  each  side 
of  the  city,  and  noted  tlie  well-known  pennons  of 
renowned  commanders  fluttering  above  them,  still 
comforted  his  companions : “ These  camps,”  said 
he,  “ are  too  far  removed  from  each  other,  for  mu- 
tual succor  and  cooperation ; and  the  forest  of  or- 
chards is  as  a gulf  between  them.”  This  con- 
solation was  but  of  short  continuance.  Scarcely 
were  the  Christian  camps  fortified,  when  the  ears 
of  the  Moorish  garrison  were  startled  by  the  sound 
of  innumerable  axes,  and  the  crash  of  falling  trees. 
They  looked  with  anxiety  from  their  highest 
towers,  and  beheld  their  favorite  groves  sinking 
beneath  the  blows  of  the  Christian  pioneers.  The 
Moors  sallied  forth  with  fiery  zeal  to  protect  their 
beloved  gardens,  and  the  orchards  in  which  they 
so  much  delighted.  The  Christians,  however, 
were  too  well  supported  to  be  driven  from  their 
work.  Day  after  day,  the  gardens  became  the 
scene  of  incessant  and  bloody  skirmishings  ; yet 
still  the  devastation  of  the  groves  went  on,  for 
king  Ferdinand  was  too  well  aware  of  the  neces- 
sity of  clearing  away  this  screen  of  woods,  not  to 


NEW  INVESTMENT  OF  BAZA. 


463 


bend  all  his  forces  to  the  undertaking.  It  was  a 
work,  however,  of  gigantic  toil  and  patience. 
The  trees  were  of  such  magnitude,  and  so  closely 
set  together,  and  spread  over  so  wide  an  extent, 
that  notwithstanding  four  thousand  men  were  em- 
ployed, they  could  scarcely  clear  a strip  of  land 
ten  paces  broad  within  a day  ; and  such  were  the 
interruptions  from  the  incessant  assaults  of  the 
Moors,  that  it  was  full  forty  days  before  the  or- 
chards were  completely  leveled. 

The  devoted  city  of  Baza  now  lay  stripped  of 
its  beautiful  covering  of  groves  and  gardens,  at 
once  its  ornament,  its  delight,  and  its  protection. 
The  besiegers  went  on  slowly  and  surely,  with 
almost  incredible  labors,  to  invest  and  isolate  the 
city.  They  connected  their  camps  by  a deep 
trench  across  the  plain,  a league  in  length,  into 
which  they  diverted  the  waters  of  the  mountain 
streams.  They  protected  this  trench  by  palisadoes, 
fortified  by  fifteen  castles,  at  regular  distances. 
They  dug  a deep  trench,  also,  two  leagues  in 
length,  across  the  mountain  in  the  rear  of  the 
city,  reaching  from  camp  to  camp,  and  fortified  it 
on  each  side  with  walls  of  earth,  and  stone,  and 
wood.  Thus  the  Moors  were  inclosed  on  all  sides 
by  trenches,  palisadoes,  walls,  and  castles  ; so  that 
it  was  impossible  for  them  to  sally  beyond  this 
great  line  of  circumvallation  — nor  could  any 
force  enter  to  their  succor.  Ferdinand  made  an 
attempt  likewise,  to  cut  off  the  supply  of  water 
from  the  city ; “ for  water,’^  observes  the  worthy 
Agapida,  “ is  more  necessary  to  these  infidels  than 
bread,  making  use  of  it  in  repeated  daily  ablutions 


464 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


enjoined  by  their  damnable  religion,  and  employ- 
ing it  in  baths  and  in  a thousand  other  idle  and 
extravagant  modes,  of  which  we  Spaniards  and 
Christians  make  but  little  account.” 

There  was  a noble  fountain  of  pure  water, 
which  gushed  out  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  Albohacen, 
just  behind  the  city.  The  Moors  had  almost  a 
superstitious  fondness  for  this  fountain,  and  chielly 
depended  upon  it  for  their  supplies.  Receiving 
intimation  from  some  deserters,  of  the  plan  of 
king  Ferdinand  to  get  possession  of  this  precious 
fountain,  they  sallied  forth  at  night,  and  threw  up 
such  powerful  works  upon  the  impending  hill,  as 
to  set  all  attempts  of  the  Christian  assailants  at 
defiance. 


CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

Exploit  of  Hernando  Perez  del  Pulgar  and  other  Cavaliers. 

HE  siege  of  Baza,  while  it  displayed 
the  skill  and  science  of  the  Christian 
commanders,  gave  but  little  scope  for  the 
adventurous  spirit  and  fiery  valor  of  the  young 
Spanish  cavaliers.  They  repined  at  the  tedious 
monotony  and  dull  security  of  their  fortified  camp, 
and  longed  for  some  soul-stirring  exploit  of  dif- 
ficulty and  danger.  Two  of  the  most  spirited  of 
these  youthful  cavaliers  were  Francisco  de  Bazan 
and  Antonio  de  Cueva,  the  latter  of  whom  was 
son  to  the  duke  of  Albuquerque.  As  they  were 
one  day  seated  on  the  ramparts  of  the  camp,  and 
venting  their  impatience  at  this  life  of  inaction, 
they  were  overheard  by  a veteran  adalid,  one  of 
those  scouts  or  guides  who  are  acquainted  with 
all  parts  of  the  country.  “ Senors,”  said  he,  “ if 
you  wish  for  a service  of  peril  and  profit,  if  you 
are  willing  to  pluck  the  fiery  old  Moor  by  the 
beard,  I can  lead  you  to  where  you  may  put  your 
mettle  to  the  proof.  Hard  by  the  city  of  Guadix, 
are  certain  hamlets  rich  in  booty.  I can  conduct 
you  by  a way  in  which  you  may  come  upon 
them  by  surprise  ; and  if  you  are  as  cool  in  the 
head,  as  you  are  hot  in  the  spur,  you  may  bear 
30 


466 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


off  .your  spoils  from  under  the  very  eyes  of  old 
El  Zagai;’ 

The  idea  of  thus  making  booty  at  the  very 
gates  of  Guadix,  pleased  the  hot-spirited  youths. 
These  predatory  excursions  were  frequent  about 
this  time ; and  the  Moors  of  Padul,  Alhenden, 
and  other  towns  of  the  Alpuxarras,  had  recently 
harassed  the  Christian  territories  by  expeditions 
of  the  kind.  Francisco  de  Bazan  and  Antonio 
de  Cueva  soon  found  other  young  cavaliers  of 
their  age,  eager  to  join  in  the  adventure ; and  in 
a little  while,  they  had  nearly  three  hundred  * 
horse  and  two  hundred  foot,  ready  equipped  and 
eager  for  the  foray. 

Keeping  their  destination  secret,  they  sallied 
out  of  the  camp  on  the  edge  of  an  evening,  and, 
guided  by  the  adalid,  made  their  way  by  starlight 
through  the  most  secret  roads  of  the  mountains.  . 
In  this  way  they  pressed  on  rapidly  day  and 
night,  until  early  one  morning,  before  cock-crow- 
ing they  fell  suddenly  upon  the  hamlets,  made 
prisoners  of  the  inhabitants,  sacked  the  houses, 
ravaged  the  fields,  and  sweeping  through  the 
meadows,  gathered  together  all  the  flocks  and 
herds.  Without  giving  themselves  time  to  rest, 
they  set  out  upon  their  return,  making  with  all 
speed  for  the  mountains,  before  the  alarm  should 
be  given  and  the  country  roused. 

Several  of  the  herdsmen,  however,  had  fled  to 
Guadix,  and  carried  tidings  of  the  ravage  to  El 
Zagal.  The  beard  of  old  Muley  trembled  with 
rage ; he  immediately  sent  out  six  hundred  of  his 
choicest  horse  and  foot,  with  orders  to  recover  the 


ADVENTURE  OF  THE  CAVALIERS,  467 


booty  and  to  bring  those  insolent  marauders  cap- 
tive to  Guadix. 

The  Christian  cavaliers  were  urging  their 
cavalgada  of  cattle  and  sheep  up  a mountain,  as 
fast  as  their  own  weariness  would  permit,  when, 
looking  back,  they  beheld  a great  cloud  of  dust, 
and  presently  descried  the  turbaned  host  hot 
upon  their  traces. 

They  saw  that  the  Moors  were  superior  in 
number ; they  were  fresh  also,  both  man  and 
steed,  whereas  both  they  and  their  horses  were 
fatigued  by  two  days  and  two  nights  of  hard 
marching.  Several  of  the  horsemen  therefore 
gathered  round  the  commanders,  and  proposed 
that  they  should  relinquish  their  spoil,  and  save 
themselves  by  flight.  The  captains,  Francisco 
de  Bazan  and  Antonio  de  Cueva,  spurned  at 
such  craven  counsel.  What ! ” cried  they, 
“ abandon  our  prey  without  striking  a blow  ? 
Leave  our  foot-soldiers  too  in  the  lurch,  to  be 
overwhelmed  by  the  enemy?  If  any  one  gives 
such  counsel  through  fear,  he  mistakes  the  course 
of  safety ; for  there  is  less  danger  in  presenting 
a bold  front  to  the  foe,  than  in  turning  a dastard 
back ; and  fewer  men  are  killed  in  a brave  ad- 
vance, than  in  a cowardly  retreat. 

Some  of  the  cavaliers  were  touched  by  these 
words,  and  declared  that  they  would  stand  by  the 
foot-soldiers  like  true  companions  in  arms ; the 
great  mass  of  the  party,  however,  were  volun- 
teers, brought  together  by  chance,  who  received 
no  pay,  nor  had  any  common  tie  to  keep  them  to- 
gether in  time  of  danger.  The  pleasure  of  the 


468 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


expedition  being  over,  each  thought  but  of  his 
own  safety,  regardless  of  his  companions.  As  the 
enemy  approached,  the  tumult  of  opinions  in- 
creased, and  everything  was  in  confusion.  The 
captains,  to  put  an  end  to  the  dispute,  ordered  the 
standard-bearer  to  advance  against  the  Moors, 
well  knowing  that  no  true  cavalier  would  hesitate 
to  follow  and  defend  his  banner.  The  standard- 
bearer  hesitated  — the  troops  were  on  the  point 
of  taking  to  flight. 

Upon  this  a cavalier  of  the  royal  guards  rode 
to  the  front.  It  was  Her  nan  Perez  del  Pulgar, 
alcayde  of  the  fortress  of  Salar:  the  same  daunt- 
less ambassador  who  once  bore  to  the  turbulent 
people  of  Malaga  the  king’s  summons  to  surren- 
der. Taking  off  a handkerchief  which  he  wore 
round  his  head,  after  the  Andalusian  fashion,  he 
tied  it  to  the  end  of  a lance  and  elevated  it  in  the 
air.  “ Cavaliers,”  cried  he,  “ why  do  ye  take 
weapons  in  your  hands,  if  you  depend  upon  your 
feet  for  safety?  This  day  will  determine  who  is 
the  brave  man,  and  who  the  coward.  He  who  is 
disposed  to  fight,  shall  not  want  a standard : let 
him  follow  this  handkerchief.”  So  saying,  he 
waved  his  banner,  and  spurred  bravely  against 
the  Moors.  His  example  shamed  some,  and 
filled  others  with  generous  emulation : all  turned 
with  one  accord,  and  following  Pulgar,  rusheS 
with  shouts  upon  the  enemy.  The  Moors  scarcely 
waited  to  receive  the  shock  of  their  encounter. 
Seized  with  a panic,  they  took  to  flight  and 
were  pursued  for  a considerable  distance,  with 
great  slaughter.  Three  hundred  of  their  dead 


PEREZ  JDE  PUL  GAR, 


469 


strewed  the  road,  and  were  stripped  and  despoiled 
by  the  conquerors  ; many  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  the  Christian  cavaliers  returned  in  triumph 
to  the  camp,  with  a long  cavalgada  of  sheep  and 
cattle,  and  mules  laden  with  booty,  and  bearing 
before  them  the  singular  standard  which  had  con- 
ducted them  to  victory. 

King  Ferdinand  was  so  pleased  with  the  gal- 
lant action  of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar  that  he 
immediately  conferred  on  him  the  honor  of  knight- 
hood ; using  in  the  ceremony  the  sword  of  Diego 
de  Aguero,  the  captain  of  the  royal  guards;  the 
duke  of  Esculona  girded  one  of  his  own  gilt 
spurs  upon  his  heel,  and  the  grand  master  of 
Santiago,  the  count  de  Cabra,  and  Gonsalvo  of 
Cordova  officiated  as  witnesses.  Furthermore, 
to  perpetuate  in  his  family  the  memory  of  his 
achievement,  the  sovereigns  authorized  him  to 
emblazon  on  his  escutcheon  a golden  lion  in  an 
azure  field,  bearing  a lance  with  a handkerchief 
at  the  end  of  it.  Round  the  border  of  the 
escutcheon  were  depicted  the  eleven  alcaydes 
vanquished  in  the  battle.^  The  foregoing  is  but 
one  of  many  hardy  and  heroic  deeds  done  by 
this  brave  cavalier,  in  the  wars  against  the 
Moors  ; by  which  he  gained  great  renown,  and 
the  distinguished  appellation  of  ‘‘  El  de  las 
hazanas,”  or  “ He  of  the  exploits.”  ^ 

1 Alcantara,  Hist,  de  Granada^  tom.  iv.,  cap.  18.  Pulgar, 
Cron.  pt.  Hi. 

2 Hernan  or  Hernando  del  Pulgar,  the  historian,  secretary 
to  Queen  Isabella,  is  confounded  with  this  cavalier,  by  some 
writers.  He  was  also  present  at  the  siege  of  Baza,  and  has 
recounted  this  transaction  in  his  chronicle  of  the  Catholic  sov- 
ereigns, Ferdinand  and  Isabella. 


CHAPTER  LXXV. 

Continuation  of  the  Siege  of  Baza. 

HE  Moorish  king  El  Zagal  mounted  a 
tower,  and  looked  out  eagerly  to  enjoy 
the  sight  of  the  Christian  marauders 
brought  captive  into  the  gates  of  Guadix ; but 
his  spirits  fell  when  he  beheld  his  own  troops 
stealing  back  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  in 
broken  and  dejected  parties. 

The  fortune  of  war  bore  hard  against  the  old 
monarch;  his  mind  was  harassed  by  disastrous 
tidings  brought  each  day  from  Baza,  of  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  numbers  of 
the  garrison  slain  in  the  frequent  skirmishes.  He 
dared  not  go  in  person  to  the  relief  of  the  place, 
for  his  presence  was  necessary  in  Guadix,  to 
keep  a check  upon  his  nephew  in  Granada.  He 
sent  reinforcements  and  supplies ; but  they  were 
intercepted,  and  either  captured  or  driven  back. 
Still  his  situation  was  in  some  respects  preferable 
to  that  of  his  nephew  Boabdil.  He  was  battling 
like  a warrior,  on  the  last  step  of  his  throne ; El 
Chico  remained  a kind  of  pensioned  vassal,  in 
the  luxurious  abode  of  the  Alhambra.  The 
chivalrous  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  Granada 
could  not  but  compare  the  generous  stand  made 
by  the  warriors  of  Baza  for  their  country  and 


8IEGE  OF  BAZA  CONTINUED. 


471 


their  faith,  with  their  own  time-serving  submis- 
sion to  the  yoke  of  an  unbeliever.  Every  ac- 
count they  received  of  the  woes  of  Baza  wrung 
their  hearts  with  agony ; every  account  of  the 
exploits  of  its  devoted  defenders  brought  blushes 
to  their  cheeks.  Many  stole  forth  secretly  with 
their  weapons,  and  hastened  to  join  the  besieged ; 
and  the  partisans  of  El  Zagal  wrought  upon  the 
patriotism  and  passions  of  the  remainder,  until 
another  of  those  conspiracies  was  formed,  that 
were  continually  menacing  the  unsteady  throne 
of  Granada.  It  was  concerted  by  the  conspira- 
tors to  assail  the  Alhambra  on  a sudden,  slay  Bo- 
abdil,  assemble  the  troops,  and  march  to  Guadix ; 
where,  being  reinforced  by  the  garrison  of  that 
place,  and  led  on  by  the  old  warrior  monarch, 
they  might  fall  with  overwhelming  power  upon 
the  Christian  army  before  Baza. 

Fortunately  for  Boabdil,  he  discovered  the 
conspiracy  in  time,  and  the  heads  of  the  leaders 
were  struck  off,  and  placed  upon  the  walls  of  the 
Alhambra  — an  act  of  severity  unusual  with  this 
mild  and  wavering  monarch,  which  struck  terror 
into  the  disaffected,  and  produced  a kind  of  mute 
tranquillity  throughout  the  city. 

Ferdinand  had  full  information  of  all  the  move- 
ments and  measures  for  the  relief  of  Baza,  and 
took  precautions  to  prevent  them.  Bodies  of 
horsemen  held  watch  in  the  mountain  passes,  to 
prevent  supplies,  and  intercept  any  generous  vol- 
unteers from  Granada ; and  watch-towers  were 
erected,  or  scouts  placed  on  every  commanding 


472 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


height,  to  give  the  alarm  at  the  least  sign  of  a 
hostile  turban. 

The  prince  Cid  Hiaya  and  his  brave  compan- 
ions in  arms  were  thus  gradually  walled  up,  as  it 
were,  from  the  rest  of  the  world.  A line  of 
towers,  the  battlements  of  which  bristled  with 
troops,  girded  their  city ; and  behind  the  inter- 
vening bulwarks  and  palisadoes  passed  and  re- 
passed continual  squadrons  of  troops.  Week 
after  week  and  month  after  month  passed  away, 
but  Ferdinand  waited  in  vain  for  the  garrison  to 
be  either  terrified  or  starved  into  surrender. 
Every  day  they  sallied  forth  with  the  spirit  and 
alacrity  of  troops  high  fed,  and  flushed  with  con- 
fidence. ‘‘  The  Christian  monarch,”  says  the  vet- 
eran Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan,  “ builds  his  hopes 
upon  our  growing  faint  and  desponding  — we 
must  manifest  unusual  cheerfulness  and  vigor. 
What  would  be  rashness  in  other  service  becomes 
prudence  with  us.”  The  prince  Cid  Hiaya  agreed 
with  him  in  opinion,  and  sallied  forth  with  his 
troops  upon  all  kinds  of  hare-brained  exploits. 
They  laid  ambushes,  concerted  surprises,  and 
made  the  most  desperate  assaults.  The  great 
extent  of  the  Christian  works  rendered  them 
weak  in  many  parts : against  these  the  Moors 
directed  their  attacks,  suddenly  breaking  into 
them,  making  a hasty  ravage,  and  bearing  off 
their  booty  in  triumph  to  the  city.  Sometimes 
they  would  sally  forth  by  passes  and  clefts  of  the 
mountain  in  the  rear  of  the  city,  which  it  was 
difiicult  to  guard,  and,  hurrying  down  into  the 


PARTISAN  SALLIES. 


473 


plain,  sweep  off  all  cattle  and  slieep  that  were 
grazing  near  the  suburbs,  and  all  stragglers  from 
the  camp. 

These  partisan  sallies  brought  on  many  sharp 
and  bloody  encounters,  in  some  of  which  Don 
Alonzo  de  Aguilar  and  the  alcayde  de  los  Don- 
celes  distinguished  themselves  greatly.  During 
one  of  these  hot  skirmishes,  which  happened  on 
the  skirts  of  the  mountain,  about  twilight,  a cav- 
alier, named  Martin  Galindo,  beheld  a powerful 
Moor  dealing  deadly  blows  about  him,  and  mak- 
ing great  havoc  among  the  Christians.  Galindo 
pressed  forward  and  challenged  him  to  single 
combat.  The  Moor  was  not  slow  in  answering 
the  call.  Couching  their  lances,  they  rushed  fu- 
riously upon  each  other.  At  the  first  shock  the 
Moor  was  wounded  in  the  face,  and  borne  out  of 
his  saddle.  Before  Galindo  could  check  his 
steed,  and  turn  from  his  career,  the  Moor  sprang 
upon  his  feet,  recovered  his  lance,  and,  rushing 
upon  him,  wounded  him  in  the  head  and  the  arm. 
Though  Galindo  was  on  horseback  and  the  Moor 
on  foot,  yet  such  was  the  prowess  and  address  of 
the  latter,  that  the  Christian  knight,  being  dis- 
abled in  the  arm,  was  in  the  utmost  peril,  when 
his  comrades  hastened  to  his  assistance.  At 
their  approach,  the  valiant  pagan  retreated  slowly 
up  the  rocks,  keeping  them  at  bay,  until  he  found 
himself  among  his  companions. 

Several  of  the  young  Spanish  cavaliers,  stung 
by  the  triumph  of  this  Moslem  knight,  would 
have  challenged  others  of  the  Moors  to  single 
combat;  but  King  Ferdinand  prohibited  all  vaunt- 


474 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


ing  encounters  of  the  kind.  He  forbade  his 
troops,  also,  to  provoke  skirmishes,  well  knowing 
that  the  Moors  were  more  dexterous  than  most 
people  in  this  irregular  mode  of  fighting,  and 
were  better  acquainted  with  the  ground. 


CHAPTER  LXXVL 


How  two  Friars  from  the  Holy  Land  arrived  at  the  Camp. 

HHILE  the  holy  Christian  army  (says 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida)  was  thus  be- 
leaguering this  infidel  city  of  Baza, 
there  rode  into  the  camp  one  day  two  reverend 
friars  of  the  order  of  St.  Francis.  One  was  of 
portly  person  and  authoritative  air : he  bestrode 
a goodly  steed,  well  conditioned  and  well  capar- 
isoned ; while  his  companion  rode  beside  him, 
upon  a humble  hack,  poorly  accoutered  ; and,  as 
he  rode,  he  scarcely  raised  his  eyes  from  the 
ground,  but  maintained  a meek  and  lowly  air. 

The  arrival  of  two  friars  in  the  camp  was  not 
a matter  of  much  note,  for  in  these  holy  wars 
the  church  militant  continually  mingled  in  the 
affray,  and  helmet  and  cowl  were  always  seen 
together;  but  it  was  soon  discovered  that  these 
worthy  saints-errant  were  from  a far  country  and 
on  a mission  of  great  import. 

They  were,  in  truth,  just  arrived  from  the 
Holy  Land,  being  two  of  the  saintly  men  who 
kept  vigil  over  the  sepulchre  of  our  blessed  Lord 
at  Jerusalem.  He  of  the  tall  and  portly  form 
and  commanding  presence  was  Fray  Antonio 
Millan,  prior  of  the  Franciscan  convent  in  the 


476 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Holy  City.  He  had  a full  and  florid  countenance, 
a sonorous  voice,  and  was  round,  and  swelling, 
and  copious  in  his  periods,  like  one  accustomed 
to  harangue,  and  to  be  listened  to  with  deference. 
His  companion  was  small  and  spare  in  form,  pale 
of  visage,  and  soft  and  silken,  and  almost  whis- 
pering in  speech.  “ He  had  a humble  and  lowly 
way,”  says  Agapida,  “ evermore  bowing  the  head, 
as  became  one  of  his  calling.”  Yet  he  was  one 
of  the  most  active,  zealous,  and  effective  brothers 
of  the  convent ; and,  when  he  raised  his  small ' 
black  eye  from  the  earth,  there  was  a keen  glance 
out  of  the  corner  which  showed  that,  though 
harmless  as  a dove,  he  was  nevertheless  as  wise 
as  a serpent. 

Those  holy  men  had  come  on  a momentous 
embassy  from  the  grand  soldan  of  Egypt ; or,  as 
Agapida  terms  him  in  the  language  of  the  day, 
the  soldan  of  Babylon.  The  league  which  had 
been  made  between  that  potentate  and  his  arch 
foe,  the  Grand  Turk  Bajazet  II.,  to  unite  in  arms 
for  the  salvation  of  Granada,  as  has  been  men- 
tioned in  a previous  chapter  of  this  chronicle,  had 
come  to  nought.  The  infidel  princes  had  again 
taken  up  arms  against  each  other,  and  had  re- 
lapsed into  their  ancient  hostility.  Still  the  grand 
soldan,  as  head  of  the  whole  Moslem  religion, 
considered  himself  bound  to  preserve  the  kingdom 
of  Granada  from  the  grasp  of  unbelievers.  He 
dispatched,  therefore,  these  two  holy  friars  with  let- 
ters to  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  as  well  as  to  the 
pope  and  to  the  king  of  Naples,  remonstrating 
against  the  evil  done  to  the  Moors  of  the  king- 


FEIARS  FROM  THE  HOLY  LAND.  477 


dom  of  Granada,  who  were  of  his  faith  and  kin- 
dred ; whereas  it  was  well  known  that  great 
numbers  of  Christians  were  indulged  and  pro- 
tected in  the  full  enjoyment  of  their  property, 
their  liberty,  and  their  faith  in  his  dominions. 
He  insisted,  therefore,  that  this  war  should  cease ; 
that  the  Moors  of  Granada  should  be  reinstated 
in  the  territory  of  which  they  had  been  dispos- 
sessed ; otherwise  he  threatened  to  put  to  death 
all  the  Christians  beneath  his  sway,  to  demolish 
their  convents  and  temples,  and  to  destroy  the 
Holy  Sepulchre. 

This  fearful  menace  had  spread  consternation 
among  the  Christians  of  Palestine ; and  when  the 
intrepid  Fray  Antonio  Millan  and  his  lowly  com- 
panion departed  on  their  mission,  they  were  ac- 
companied far  from  the  gates  of  Jerusalem  by  an 
anxious  throng  of  brethren  and  disciples,  who  re- 
mained watching  them  with  tearful  eyes  as  long 
as  they  were  in  sight. 

These  holy  ambassadors  were  received  with 
great  distinction  by  King  Ferdinand  ; for  men  of 
their  cloth  had  ever  high  honor  and  consideration 
in  his  court.  He  had  long  and  frequent  conver- 
sations with  them  about  the  Holy  Land ; the 
state  of  the  Christian  church  in  the  dominions  of 
the  grand  soldan,  and  of  the  policy  and  conduct 
of  that  arch  infidel  towards  it.  Tlie  portly  prior 
of  the  Franciscan  convent  was  full,  and  round, 
and  oratorical  in  his  replies ; and  the  king  ex- 
pressed himself  much  pleased  with  the  eloquence 
of  his  periods  ; but  the  politic  monarch  was  ob- 
served to  lend  a close  and  attentive  ear  to  the 


478 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


whispering  voice  of  the  lowly  companion,  “ whose 
discourse,”  adds  Agapida,  “ though  modest  and 
low,  was  clear  and  fluent,  and  full  of  subtle  wis- 
dom.” These  holy  friars  had  visited  Rome  in 
their  journeying,  where  they  had  delivered  the 
letter  of  the  soldan  to  the  sovereign  pontiff.  His 
holiness  had  written  by  them  to  the  Castilian 
sovereigns,  requesting  to  know  what  reply  they 
had  to  offer  to  this  demand  of  the  oriental  poten- 
tate. 

The  king  of  Naples  also  wrote  to  them  on  the 
subject,  but  in  wary  terras.  He  inquired  into  the 
cause  of  this  war  with  the  Moors  of  Granada, 
and  expressed  great  marvel  at  its  events,  as  if 
(says  Agapida)  both  were  not  notorious  through- 
out all  the  Christian  world.  “ Nay,”  adds  the 
worthy  friar,  with  becoming  indignation,  “ he  ut- 
tered opinions  savoring  of  little  better  than  dam- 
nable heresy ; for  he  observed  that,  although  the 
Moors  were  of  a different  sect,  they  ought  not  to 
be  maltreated  without  just  cause ; and  hinted 
that  if  the  Castilian  sovereigns  did  not  suffer  any 
crying  injury  from  the  Moors,  it  would  be  im- 
proper to  do  anything  which  might  draw  great 
damage  upon  the  Christians ; as  if,  when  once 
the  sword  of  the  faith  was  drawn,  it  ought  ever 
to  be  sheathed  until  this  scum  of  heathendom 
were  utterly  destroyed  or  driven  from  the  land. 
But  this  monarch,”  he  continues,  ‘‘  was  more 
kindly  disposed  towards  the  infidels  them  was 
honest  and  lawful  in  a Christian  prince,  and  was 
at  that  very  time  in  league  with  the  soldan  against 
their  common  enemy  the  Grand  Tui'k.” 


SENTIMENT  OF  THE  KING  OF  NAPLES,  479 


These  pious  sentiments  of  the  truly  Catholic 
Agapida  are  echoed  by  Padre  Mariana,  in  his 
history ; ^ but  the  worthy  chronicler,  Pedro 
Abarca,  attributes  the  interference  of  the  king 
of  Naples,  not  to  lack  of  orthodoxy  in  religion, 
but  to  an  excess  of  worldly  policy ; he  being  ap- 
prehensive that,  should  Ferdinand  conquer  the 
Moors  of  Granada,  he  might  have  time  and 
means  to  assert  a claim  of  the  house  of  Aragon 
to  the  crown  of  Naples.” 

“ King  Ferdinand,”  continues  the  worthy  father 
Pedro  Abarca,  “ was  no  less  master  of  dissimula- 
tion than  his  cousin  of  Naples ; so  he  replied  to 
him  with  the  utmost  suavity  of  manner,  going 
into  a minute  and  patient  vindication  of  the  war, 
and  taking  great  apparent  pains  to  inform  him 
of  those  things  which  all  the  world  knew,  but  of 
which  the  other  pretended  to  be  ignorant.”  ^ At 
the  same  time  he  soothed  his  solicitude  about  the 
fate  of  the  Christians  in  the  empire  of  the  grand 
soldan,  assuring  him  that  the  great  revenue  ex- 
torted from  them  in  rents  and  tributes  would  be 
a certain  protection  against  the  threatened  vio- 
lence. 

To  the  pope  he  made  the  usual  vindication  of 
the  war  ; that  it  was  for  the  recovery  of  ancient 
territory,  usurped  by  the  Moors ; for  the  punish- 
ment of  wars  and  violences  inflicted  upon  the 
Christians ; and  finally,  that  it  was  a holy  cru- 
sade for  the  glory  and  advancement  of  the  church. 

‘‘  It  was  a truly  edifying  sight,”  says  Agapida, 

1 Mariana,  lib.  25,  cap.  15. 

2 Abarca,  Anales  de  Aragon^  Rey  xxx.,  cap.  3. 


480 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


“ to  behold  these  friars,  after  they  had  had  their 
audience  of  the  king,  moving  about  the  camp 
always  surrounded  by  nobles  and  cavaliers  of 
high  and  martial  renown.  These  were  insatiable 
in  their  questions  about  the  Holy  Land,  and  the 
state  of  the  sepulchre  of  our  Lord,  and  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  devoted  brethren  who  guarded  it, 
and  the  pious  pilgrims  who  resorted  there  to  pay 
their  vows.  The  portly  prior  of  the  convent 
would  stand  with  lofty  and  shining  countenance 
in  the  midst  of  these  iron  warriors,  and  declaim 
with  resounding  eloquence  on  the  history  of  the 
sepulchre  ; but  the  humbler  brother  would  ever 
and  anon  sigh  deeply,  and  in  low  tones  utter  some 
tale  of  suffering  and  outrage,  at  which  his  steel- 
clad  hearers  would  grasp  the  hilts  of  their  swords, 
and  mutter  between  their  clenched  teeth  prayers 
for  another  crusade.” 

The  pious  friars  having  finished  their  mission 
to  the  king,  and  been  treated  with  all  due  distinc- 
tion, took  their  leave,  and  wended  their  way  to 
Jaen,  to  visit  the  most  Catholic  of  queens.  Isa- 
bella, whose  heart  was  the  seat  of  piety,  received 
them  as  sacred  men,  invested  with  more  than  hu- 
man dignity.  During  their  residence  at  Jaen, 
they  were  continually  in  the  royal  presence  ; the 
respectable  prior  of  the  convent  moved  and  melted 
the  ladies  of  the  court  by  his  florid  rhetoric,  but 
his  lowly  companion  was  observed  to  have  con- 
tinual access  to  the  royal  ear.  That  saintly  and 
soft-spoken  messenger  (says  Agapida)  received 
the  reward  of  his  humility  ; for  the  queen,  moved 
by  his  frequent  representations,  made  in  all  mod- 


DEPARTURE  OF  THE  FRIARS. 


481 


esty  and  lowliness  of  spirit,  granted  a yearly 
sum  in  perpetuity,  of  one  thousand  ducats  in  gold, 
for  the  support  of  the  monks  of  the  convent  of 
the  Holy  Sepulchre.^ 

Moreover,  on  the  departure  of  these  holy  am- 
bassadors, the  excellent  and  most  Catholic  queen 
delivered  to  them  a veil  devoutly  embroidered 
with  her  own  royal  hands,  to  be  placed  over  the 
Holy  Sepulchre  ; — a precious  and  inestimable 
present,  which  called  forth  a most  eloquent  tribute 
of  thanks  from  the  portly  prior,  but  which  brought 
tears  into  the  eyes  of  his  lowly  companion.^ 

1 La  Reyna  dio  a los  Frayles  mil  diicados  de  renta  cado 
ano  para  el  sustento  de  los  religiosos  del  santo  sepulcro,  que  es 
la  mejor  limosna  y sustento  que  hasta  nuestros  dias  ha  quedado 
a estos  religiosos  de  Gerusalem : para  donde  les  dio  la  Reyna 
un  velo  labrado  por  sus  manos,  para  poner  encima  de  la  santa 
sepultura  del  Senor.”  — Gariba}^,  Compend.  Hist.  lib.  18,  cap.  36. 

2 It  is  proper  to  mention  the  result  of  this  mission  of  the  two 
friars,  and  which  the  worthy  Agapida  has  neglected  to  record. 
At  a subsequent  period,  the  Catholic  sovereigns  sent  the  dis- 
tinguished historian,  Pietro  Martyr,  of  Angleria,  as  ambassa- 
dor to  the  grand  soldan.  That  able  man  made  such  represen- 
tations as  were  perfectly  satisfactory  to  the  oriental  potentate. 
He  also  obtained  from  him  the  remission  of  manj^  exactions 
and  extortions  heretofore  practiced  upon  Christian  pilgrims 
visiting  the  Holy  Sepulchre;  which,  it  is  presumed,  had  been 
gently  but  cogently  detailed  to  the  monarch  by  the  lowly 
friar.  Pietro  Martj’^r  wTote  an  account  of  his  embassy  to  the 
grand  soldan  — a work  greatly  esteemed  by  the  learned,  and 
containing  much  curious  information.  It  is  entitled,  De  Ae- 
gatione  Babylonica. 


31 


CHAPTER  LXXVIL 

How  Queen  Isabella  devised  Means  to  supply  the  Army  with 
Provisions. 


IT  has  been  the  custom  to  laud  the  con- 
duct and  address  of  King  Ferdinand, 
in  this  most  arduous  and  protracted  war ; 
but  the  sage  Agapida  is  more  disposed  to  give 
credit  to  the  counsels  and  measures  of  the  queen, 
who,  he  observes,  though  less  ostensible  in  action, 
was  in  truth  the  very  soul,  the  vital  principle  of 
this  great  enterprise.  While  King  Feidinand 
was  bustling  in  his  camp  and  making  a glittering 
display  with  his  gallant  chivalry,  she,  surrounded 
by  her  saintly  counselors,  in  the  episcopal  palace 
of  Jaen,  was  devising  ways  and  means  to  keep 
the  king  and  his  army  in  existence.  She  had 
pledged  herself  to  keep  up  a supply  of  men,  and 
money,  and  provisions,  until  the  city  should  be 
taken.  The  hardships  of  the  siege  caused  a fear- 
ful waste  of  life,  but  the  supply  of  men  was  the 
least  difficult  part  of  her  undertaking.  So  beloved 
was  the  queen  by  the  chivalry  of  Spain,  that  on 
her  calling  on  them  for  assistance,  not  a grandee 
or  cavalier  that  yet  lingered  at  home,  but  either 
repaired  in  person  or  sent  forces  to  the  camp ; 
the  ancient  and  warlike  families  vied  with  each 


ISABELLA  DEVISES  WAYS  AND  MEANS.  485 

other  in  marshaling  forth  their  vassals  ; and  thus 
the  besieged  Moors  beheld  each  day  fresh  troops 
arriving  before  their  city,  and  new  ensigns  and 
pennons  displayed,  emblazoned  with  arms  well 
known  to  the  veteran  warriors. 

But  the  most  arduous  task  was  to  keep  up  a 
regular  supply  of  provisions.  It  was  not  the 
army  alone  that  had  to  be  supported,  but  also  the 
captured  towns  and  their  garrisons ; for  the  whole 
country  around  them  had  been  ravaged,  and  the 
conquerors  were  in  danger  of  starving  in  the  midst 
of  the  land  they  had  desolated.  To  transport  the 
daily  supplies  for  such  immense  numbers,  was  a 
gigantic  undertaking,  in  a country  where  there  was 
neither  water  conveyance  nor  roads  for  carriages. 
Everything  had  to  be  borne  by  beasts  of  burden 
over  rugged  and  broken  paths  of  the  mountains, 
and  through  dangerous  defiles,  exposed  to  the  at- 
tacks and  plunderings  of  the  Moors. 

The  wary  and  calculating  merchants,  accus- 
tomed to  supply  the  army,  shrank  from  engaging, 
at  their  own  risk,  in  so  hazardous  an  undertakino^. 
The  queen,  therefore,  hired  fourteen  thousand 
beasts  of  burden,  and  ordered  all  the  wheat  and 
barley  to  be  bought  up  in  Andalusia,  and  in  tbe 
domains  of  the  knights  of  Santiago  and  Calatrava. 
She  intrusted  the  administration  of  these  supplies 
to  able  and  confidential  persons.  Some  were  em- 
ployed to  collect  the  grain  ; others,  to  take  it  to 
the  mills  : others,  to  superintend  the  grinding  and 
delivery  ; and  others,  to  convey  it  to  the  camp. 
To  every  two  hundred  animals  a muleteer  was 
allotted,  to  take  charge  of  them  on  the  route. 


/ 


484 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Thus,  great  lines  of  convoys  were  in  constant 
movement,  traversing  to  and  fro,  guarded  by  large 
bodies  of  troops,  to  defend  them  from  hovering 
parties  of  the  Moors.  Not  a single  day's  inter- 
mission was  allowed,  for  the  army  depended  upon 
the  constant  arrival  of  these  supplies  for  daily 
food.  The  grain,  when  brought  into  the  camp, 
was  deposited  in  an  immense  granary,  and  sold 
to  the  army  at  a fixed  price,  which  was  nevei 
either  raised  or  lowered. 

Incredible  were  the  expenses  incurred  in  these 
supplies ; but  the  queen  had  ghostly  advisers 
thoroughly  versed  in  the  art  of  getting  at  the  re- 
sources of  the  country.  Many  worthy  prelates 
opened  the  deep  purses  of  the  church,  and  fur- 
nished loans  from  the  revenues  of  their  dioceses 
and  convents ; and  their  pious  contributions  were 
eventually  rewarded  by  Providence,  a hundred 
fold.  Merchants  and  other  wealthy  individuals 
confident  of  the  punctual  faith  of  the  queen,  ad- 
vanced large  sums  on  the  security  of  her  word  ; 
many  noble  families  lent  their  plate,  without  wait- 
ing to  be  asked.  The  queen  also  sold  certain 
annual  rents  in  inheritance  at  great  sacrifices,  as- 
signing the  revenues  of  towns  and  cities  for  the 
payment.  Finding  all  this  insutficient  to  satisfy 
the  enormous  expenditure,  she  sent  her  gold  and 
plate  and  all  her  jewels  to  the  cities  of  Valentia 
and  Barcelona,  where  they  were  pledged  for  a 
great  amount  of  money,  which  was  immediately 
Appropriated  to  keep  up  the  supplies  of  the  army. 

Thus,  through  the  wonderful  activity,  judgment, 
and  enterprise,  of  this  heroic  and  magnanimous 


SCF.NE  IN  THE  CAMP, 


485 


woman,  a great  host,  encamped  in  the  heart  of  a 
warlike  country,  accessible  only  over  mountain 
roads,  was  maintained  in  continual  abundance. 
Nor  was  it  supplied  merely  with  the  necessaries 
and  comforts  of  life,  The  powerful  escorts  drew 
merchants  and  artificers  from  all  parts,  to  repair, 
as  if  in  caravans,  to  this  great  military  market. 
In  a little  while,  the  camp  abounded  with  trades- 
men and  artists  of  all  kinds,  to  administer  to  the 
luxury  and  ostentation  of  the  youthful  chivalry. 
Here  might  be  seen  cunning  artificers  in  steel,  and 
accomplished  armorers,  achieving  those  rare  and 
sumptuous  helmets  and  cuirasses,  richly  gilt,  in- 
laid, and  embossed,  in  which  the  Spanish  cavaliers 
delighted.  Saddlers  and  harness-makers  and  horse- 
milliners,  also,  were  there,  whose  tents  glittered 
with  gorgeous  housings  and  caparisons.  The  mer- 
chants spread  forth  their  sumptuous  silks,  cloths, 
brocades,  fine  linen,  and  tapestry.  The  tents  of 
the  nobility  were  prodigally  decorated  with  all 
kinds  of  the  richest  stuffs,  and  dazzled  the  eye 
with  their  magnificence  : nor  could  the  grave  looks 
and  grave  speeches  of  King  Ferdinand  prevent  his 
youthful  cavaliers  from  vying  with  each  other  in 
the  splendor  of  their  dresses  and  caparisons,  oa 
all  occasions  of  parade  and  ceremony. 


CHAPTER  LXXVIIL 

V 

Of  the  Disasters  which  befell  the  Camp. 

HILE  the  Christian  camp,  thus  gay  and 
gorgeous,  spread  itself  out  like  a holiday 
pageant  before  the  walls  of  Baza,  — 
while  a long  line  of  beasts  of  burden  laden  with 
provisions  and  luxuries  were  seen  descending  the 
valley  from  morning  till  night,  and  pouring  into 
the  camp  a continued  stream  of  abundance,  — 
the  unfortunate  garrison  found  their  resources 
rapidly  wasting  away,  and  famine  already  began 
to  pinch  the  peaceful  part  of  the  community. 

Cid  Hiaya  had  acted  with  great  spirit  and  valor, 
as  long  as  there  was  any  prospect  of  success  ; but 
he  began  to  lose  his  usual  fire  and  animation,  and 
was  observed  to  pace  the  walls  of  Baza  with  a 
pensive  air,  casting  many  a wistful  look  towards 
the  Christian  camp,  and  sinking  into  profound 
reveries  and  cogitations.  The  veteran  alcayde, 
Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan,  noticed  these  desponding 
moods,  and  endeavored  to  rally  the  spirits  of  the 
prince.  “The  rainy  season  is  at  hand,”  would 
he  cry  ; “ the  floods  will  soon  pour  down  from  the 
mountains  ; the  rivers  will  overflow  their  banks, 
and  inundate  the  valleys.  The  Christian  king  al- 
ready begins  to  waver  ; he  dare  not  linger,  and  en- 


TEE  SOLDIER  CITY. 


487 


counter  such  a season,  in  a plain  cut  up  by  canals 
and  rivulets.  A single  wintry  storm  from  our 
mountains  would  wash  away  his  canvas  city,  and 
sweep  off  those  gay  pavilions  like  wreaths  of  snow 
before  the  blast.” 

The  prince  Cid  Hiaya  took  heart  at  these 
words,  and  counted  the  days  as  they  passed  until 
the  stormy  season  should  commence.  As  he 
watched  the  Christian  camp,  he  beheld  it  one 
morning  in  universal  commotion  : there  was  an 
unusual  sound  of  hammers  in  every  part,  as  if 
some  new  engines  of  war  were  constructing.  , At 
length,  to  his  astonishment,  the  walls  and  roofs 
of  houses  began  to  appear  above  the  bulwarks. 
In  a little  while,  there  were  above  a thousand 
edifices  of  wood  and  plaster  erected,  covered  with 
tiles  taken  from  the  demolished  towers  of  the  or- 
chards, and  bearing  the  pennons  of  various  com- 
manders and  cavaliers  ; while  the  common  soldiery 
constructed  huts,  of  clay  and  branches  of  trees, 
thatched  with  straw.  Thus,  to  the  dismay  of  the 
Moors,  within  four  days,  the  light  tents  and  gay 
pavilions  which  had  whitened  their  hills  knd  plains, 
passed  away  like  summer  clouds  ; and  the  unsub- 
stantial camp  assumed  the  solid  appearance  of  a 
city  laid  out  into  streets  and  squares.  In  the 
centre  rose  a large  edifice,  which  overlooked  the 
whole  ; and  the  royal  standard  of  Aragon  and 
Castile,  proudly  floating  above  it,  showed  it  to  be 
the  palace  of  the  king.^ 

Ferdinand  had  taken  the  sudden  resolution  thus 
to  turn  his  camp  into  a city,  partly  to  provide 
1 Cura  de  hs  Palacios^  Pulgar,  etc. 


488 


CONQUEST  OF  GEANADA. 


against  the  approaching  season,  and  partly  to  con- 
vince the  Moors  of  his  fixed  determination  to  con- 
tinue the  siege.  In  their  haste  to  erect  their 
dwellings,  however,  the  Spanish  cavaliers  had  not 
properly  considered  the  nature  of  4he  climate. 
For  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  there  scarcely 
falls  a drop  of  rain  on  the  thirsty  soil  of  Andalusia, 
The  ramblas,  or  dry  channels  of  the  torrents,  re- 
main deep  and  arid  gashes  and  clefts  in  the  sides 
of  the  mountains ; the  perennial  streams  shrink 
up  to  mere  threads  of  water,  which,  tinkling  down 
the  bottoms  of  the  deep  barrancas  or  ravines, 
scarce  feed  and  keep  alive  the  rivers  of  the  valleys. 
The  rivers,  almost  lost  in  their  wide  and  naked 
beds,  seem  like  thirsty  rills,  winding  in  serpentine 
mazes  through  deserts  of  sand  and  stones  ; and  so 
shallow  and  tranquil  in  their  course,  as  to  be 
forded  in  safety  in  almost  every  part.  One 
autumnal  tempest,  however,  changes  the  whole 
face  of  nature : the  clouds  break  in  deluges 
among  the  vast  congregation  of  mountains  ; the 
ramblas  are  suddenly  filled  with  raging  floods  ; 
the  tinkling  rivulets  swell  to  thundering  torrents, 
that  come  roaring  down  from  the  mountains, 
tumbling  great  masses  of  rocks  in  their  career. 
The  late  meandering  river  spreads  over  its  once 
naked  bed,  lashes  its  surges  against  the  banks, 
and  rushes  like  a wide  and  foaming  inundation 
through  the  valley. 

Scarcely  had  the  Christians  finished  their 
slightly-built  edifices,  when  an  autumnal  tempest 
of  the  kind  came  scouring  from  the  mountains. 
The  camp  was  immediately  overflowed.  Many 


EFFECTS  OF  A TEMPEST, 


489 


of  the  houses,  undermined  by  the  floods  or  beaten 
by  the  rain,  crumbled  away  and  fell  to  the  earth, 
burying  man  and  beast  beneath  their  ruins. 
Several  valuable  lives  were  lost,  and  great  num- 
bers of  horses  and  other  animals  perished.  To 
add  to  the  distress  and  confusion  of  the  camp,  the 
daily  supply  of  provisions  suddenly  ceased ; for 
the  rain  had  broken  up  the  roads,  and  rendered 
the  rivers  impassable.  A panic  seized  upon  the 
army,  for  the  cessation  of  a single  day’s  supply 
produced  a scarcity  of  bread  and  provender. 
Fortunately  the  rain  was  but  transient : the  tor- 
rents rushed  by,  and  ceased  ; the  rivers  shrank 
back  again  to  their  narrow  channels,  and  the  con- 
voys which  had  been  detained  upon  their  banks 
arrived  safely  in  the  camp. 

No  sooner  did  Queen  Isabella  hear  of  this  in- 
terruption of  her  supplies,  than,  with  her  usual 
vigilance  and  activity,  she  provided  against  its 
recurrence.  She  dispatched  six  thousand  foot- 
soldiers,  under  the  command  of  experienced  ofii- 
cers,  to  repair  the  roads,  and  to  make  causeways 
and  bridges  for  the  distance  of  seven  Spanish 
leagues.  The  troops,  also,  who  had  been  sta- 
tioned in  the  mountains  by  the  king  to  guard  the 
defiles,  made  two  paths,  one  for  the  convoys  going 
to  the  camp,  and  the  other  for  those  returning, 
that  they  might  not  meet  and  impede  each  other. 
The  edifices  which  had  been  demolished  by  the 
late  floods  were  rebuilt  in  a firmer  manner,  and 
precautions  were  taken  to  prevent  the  camp  from 
future  inundations. 


CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

Encounters  between  the  Christians  and  Moors  before  Baza; 
and  the  Devotion  of  the  Inhabitants  to  the  Defense  of  their 
City. 

HEN  King  Ferdinand  beheld  the  ravage 
and  confusion  produced  by  a single  au- 
tumnal storm,  and  bethought  him  of  all 
the  maladies  to  which  a besieging  camp  is  ex- 
posed in  inclement  seasons,  he  began  to  feel  his 
compassion  kindling  for  the  suffering  people  of 
Baza,  and  an  inclination  to  grant  them  more  fa- 
vorable terms.  He  sent,  therefore,  several  mes- 
sages to  the  alcayde  Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan, 
offering  liberty  of  person  and  security  of  property 
for  the  inhabitants,  and  large  rewards  for  himself, 
if  he  would  surrender  the  city. 

The  veteran  was  not  to  be  dazzled  by  the 
splendid  offers  of  the  monarch ; he  had  received 
exaggerated  accounts  of  the  damage  done  to  the 
Christian  camp  by  the  late  storm,  and  of  the  suf- 
ferings and  discontents  of  the  army  in  conse- 
quence of  the  transient  interruption  of  supplies: 
he  considered  the  overtures  of  Ferdinand  as 
proofs  of  the  desperate  state  of  his  affairs.  “ A 
little  more  patience,  a little  more  patience,”  said 
the  shrewd  old  warrior,  “ and  we  shall  see  this 
crowd  of  Christian  locusts  driven  away  before 


ENCOUNTERS  BEFORE  BAZA. 


491 


the  winter  storms.  When  they  once  turn  their 
backs,  it  will  be  our  turn  to  strike ; and.  with  the 
help  of  Allah,  the  blow  shall  be  decisive.”  He 
sent  a firm  though  courteous  refusal  to  the  Cas- 
tilian monarch,  and  in  the  mean  time  animated 
his  companions  to  sally  forth  with  more  spirit 
than  ever,  to  attack  the  Spanish  outposts  and 
those  laboring  in  the  trenches.  The  consequence 
was  a daily  occurrence  of  daring  and  bloody  skir- 
mishes, that  cost  the  lives  of  many  of  the  bravest 
and  most  adventurous  cavaliers  of  either  army 

In  one  of  these  sallies,  nearly  three  hundred 
horse  and  two  thousand  foot  mounted  the  heights 
behind  the  city,  to  capture  the  Christians  who 
were  employed  upon  the  works.  They  came  by 
surprise  upon  a body  of  guards,  esquires  of  the 
count  de  Urena,  killed  some,  put  the  rest  to  flight, 
and  pursued  them  down  the  mountain,  until  they 
came  in  sight  of  a small  force  under  the  count  de 
Tendilla  and  Gonsalvo  of  Cordova.  The  Moors 
came  rushing  down  with  such  fury  that  many  of 
the  men  of  the  count  de  Tendilla  took  to  flight. 
The  count  braced  his  buckler,  grasped  his  trusty 
weapon,  and  stood  his  ground  with  his  accustomed 
prowess.  Gonsalvo  of  Cordova  ranged  himself 
by  his  side,  and,  marshaling  the  troops  which  re- 
mained with  them,  they  made  a valiant  front  to 
the  Moors. 

The  infidels  pressed  them  hard,  and  were  gain- 
ing the  advantage,  when  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  hear- 
ing of  the  danger  of  his  brother  Gonsalvo,  flew 
to  his  assistance,  accompanied  by  the  count  of 
Urena  and  a body  of  their  troops.  A fight  en- 


492 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


sued,  from  cliff  to  cliff  and  glen  to  glen.  The 
Moors  were  fewer  in  number,  but  excelled  in 
the  dexterity  and  lightness  requisite  for  scram- 
bling skirmishes.  They  were  at  length  driven 
from  their  vantage-ground,  and  pursued  by  Alonzo 
de  Aguilar  and  his  brother  Gonsalvo  to  the  very 
suburbs  of  the  city,  leaving  many  of  their  bravest 
men  upon  the  field. 

Such  was  one  of  innumerable  rough  encoun- 
ters daily  taking  place,  in  which  many  brave 
cavaliers  were  slain,  without  apparent  benefit  to 
either  party.  The  Moors,  notwithstanding  re- 
peated defeats  and  losses,  continued  to  sally  forth 
daily  with  astonishing  spirit  and  vigor,  and  the 
obstinacy  of  their  defense  seemed  to  increase 
with  their  sufferings. 

The  prince  Cid  Hiaya  was  ever  foremost  in 
these  sallies,  but  grew  daily  more  despairing  of 
success.  All  the  money  in  the  military  chest  was 
expended,  and  there  was  no  longer  wherewithal 
to  pay  the  hired  troops.  Still  the  veteran  Mo- 
hammed undertook  to  provide  for  this  emergency. 
Summoning  the  principal  inhabitants,  he  repre- 
sented the  necessity  of  some  exertion  and  sacri- 
fice on  their  part  to  maintain  the  defense  of  the 
city.  “ The  enemy,”  said  he,  “ dreads  the  ap- 
proach of  winter,  and  our  perseverance  drives 
him  to  despair.  A little  longer,  and  he  will  leave 
you  in  quiet  enjoyment  of  your  homes  and  fam- 
ilies. But  our  troops  must  be  paid,  to  keep  them 
in  good  heart.  Our  money  is  exhausted,  and  all 
our  supplies  are  cut  off.  It  is  impossible  to  con- 
tinue our  defense,  without  your  aid.” 


MOORISH  ZEAL  AND  PUBLIC  SPIRIT.  493 


Upon  this  the  citizens  consulted  together,  and 
collected  all  their  vessels  of  gold  and  silver,  and 
brought  them  to  Mohammed : “ Take  these,” 

said  they,  “ and  coin,  or  sell,  or  pledge  them,  for 
money  wherewith  to  pay  the  troops.”  The 
woman  of  Baza  also  were  seized  with  generous 
emulation : “ Shall  we  deck  ourselves  with  gor- 
geous apparel,”  said  they,  “ when  our  country  is 
desolate,  and  its  defenders  in  want  of  bread  ? ” 
So  they  took  their  collars,  and  bracelets,  and  an- 
klets, and  other  ornaments  of  gold,  and  all  their 
jewels,  and  put  them  in  the  hands  of  the  veteran 
alcayde : “ Take  these  spoils  of  our  vanity,” 

said  they,  “ and  let  them  contribute  to  the  defense 
of  our  homes  and  families.  If  Baza  be  delivered, 
we  need  no  jewels  to  grace  our  rejoicing ; and  if 
Baza  fall,  of  what  avail  are  ornaments  to  the  cap- 
tive ? ” 

By  these  contributions  was  Mohammed  enabled 
to  pay  the  soldiery,  and  carry  on  the  defense  of 
the  city  with  unabated  spirit. 

Tidings  were  speedily  conveyed  to  King  Ferdi- 
nand, of  this  generous  devotion  on  the  part  of  the 
people  of  Baza,  and  the  hopes  which  the  Moorish 
commanders  gave  them  that  the  Christian  army 
would  soon  abandon  the  siege  in  despair.  “ They 
shall  have  a convincing  proof  of  the  fallacy  of 
such  hopes,”  said  the  politic  monarch  : so  he 
wrote  forthwith  to  Queen  Isabella,  praying  her  to 
come  to  the  camp  in  state,  with  all  her  train  and 
retinue,  and  publicly  to  take  up  her  residence 
there  for  the  winter.  By  this  means  the  Moors 


494 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


would  be  convinced  of  the  settled  determination 
of  the  sovereigns  to  persist  in  the  siege  until  the 
city  should  surrender,  and  he  trusted  they  would 
be  brought  to  speedy  capitulation. 


CHAPTER  LXXX. 

How  Queen  Isabella  arrived  at  the  Camp,  and  the  Conse- 
quences of  her  Arrival. 


lOHAMMED  IBN  HASSAN  still  en- 
couraged his  companions  with  hopes  that 
the  royal  army  would  soon  relinquish 
the  siege ; when  they  heard,  one  day,  shouts  of 
joy  from  the  Christian  camp,  and  thundering  sal- 
vos of  artillery.  Word  was  brought,  at  the  same 
time,  from  the  sentinels  on  the  watch-towers,  that 
a Christian  army  was  approaching  down  the  val- 
ley. Mohammed  and  his  fellow-commanders  as- 
cended one  of  the  highest  towers  of  the  walls, 
and  beheld  in  truth  a numerous  force,  in  shin- 
ing array,  descending  the  hills,  and  heard  the  dis- 
tant clangor  of  the  trumpet  and  the  faint  swell  of 
triumphant  music. 

As  the  host  drew  nearer,  they  descried  a stately 
dame  magnificently  attired,  whom  they  soon  dis- 
covered to  be  the  queen.  She  was  riding  on  a 
mule,  the  sumptuous  trappings  of  which  were  re- 
splendent with  gold,  and  reached  to  the  ground. 
On  her  right  hand  rode  her  daughter,  the  princess 
Isabella,  equally  splendid  in  her  array ; and  on 
her  left  the  venerable  grand  cardinal  of  Spain. 
A noble  train  of  ladies  and  cavaliers  followed, 


496 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


together  with  pages  and  esquires,  and  a numerous 
guard  of  hidalgos  of  high  rank,  arrayed  in  su- 
perb armor.  When  the  veteran  Mohammed  be- 
held the  queen  thus  arriving  in  state  to  take  up 
her  residence  in  the  camp,  he  shook  his  head 
mournfully,  and,  turning  to  his  captains,  “ Cava- 
liers,” said  he,  ‘‘  the  fate  of  Baza  is  decided  ! ” 

The  Moorish  commanders  remained  gazing  with 
a mingled  feeling  of  grief  and  admiration  at  this 
magnificent  pageant,  which  foreboded  the  fall  of 
their  city.  Some  of  the  troops  would  have  sallied 
forth  on  one  of  their  desperate  skirmishes  to  at- 
tack the  royal  guard ; but  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya 
forbade  them  ; nor  would  he  allow  any  artillery 
to  be  discharged,  or  any  molestation  or  insult  of- 
fered ; for  the  character  of  Isabella  was  venerated 
even  by  the  Moors  ; and  most  of  the  commanders 
possessed  that  high  and  chivalrous  courtesy  which 
belongs  to  heroic  spirits  — for  they  were  among 
the  noblest  and  bravest  of  the  Moorish  cava- 
liers. 

The  inhabitants  of  Baza  eagerly  sought  every 
eminence  that  could  command  a view  of  the  plain ; 
and  every  battlement,  and  tower,  and  mosque, 
was  covered  with  turbaned  heads  gazing  at  the 
glorious  spectacle.  They  beheld  King  Ferdinand 
issue  forth  in  royal  state,  attended  by  the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz,  the  master  of  Santiago,  the  duke 
of  Alva,  the  admiral  of  Castile,  and  many  other 
nobles  of  renown ; while  the  whole  chivalry  of 
the  camp,  sumptuously  arrayed,  followed  in  his 
train,  and  the  populace  rent  the  air  with  accla- 
mations at  the  sight  of  the  patriot  queen. 


ISABELLA  ARRIVES  AT  THE  CAMP,  497 


When  the  sovereigns  had  met  and  embraced, 
the  two  hosts  mingled  together  and  entered  the 
camp  in  martial  pomp  ; and  the  eyes  of  the  in- 
fidel beholders  were  dazzled  by  the  flash  of  ar- 
mor, the  splendor  of  golden  caparisons,  the  gor- 
geous display  of  silks,  brocades,  and  velvets,  of 
tossing  plumes  and  fluttering  banners.  There 
was  at  the  same  time  a triumphant  sound  of 
drums  and  trumpets,  clarions  and  sackbuts,  min- 
gled with  the  sweet  melody  of  the  dulcimer,  which 
came  swelling  in  bursts  of  harmony  that  seemed 
to  rise  up  to  the  heavens.^ 

On  the  arrival  of  the  queen  (says  the  histo- 
rian Hernando  del  Pulgar,  who  was  present  at 
the  time),  it  was  marvelous  to  behold  how  all  at 
once  the  rigor  and  turbulence  of  war  were  soft- 
ened, and  the  storm  of  passion  sank  into  a calm. 
The  sword  was  sheathed ; the  cross-bow  no  longer 
launched  its  deadly  shafts ; and  the  artillery, 
which  had  hitherto  kept  up  an  incessant  uproar, 
now  ceased  its  thundering.  On  both  sides  there 
was  still  a vigilant  guard  kept  up ; the  sentinels 
bristled  the  walls  of  Baza  with  their  lances,  and 
the  guards  patrolled  the  Christian  camp ; but 
there  was  no  sallying  forth  to  skirmish,  nor  any 
wanton  violence  or  carnage.  ^ 

Prince  Cid  Hiaya  saw,  by  the  arrival  of  the 
queen,  that  the  Christians  were  determined  to 
continue  the  siege,  and  he  knew  that  the  city 

1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  92. 

2 Many  particulars  of  the  scenes  and  occurrences  at  the 
siege  of  Baza  are  also  furnished  in  the  letters  of  the  learned 
Peter  Martyr,  who  was  present,  and  an  admiring  eye-witness. 

32 


498 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


would  have  to  capitulate.  He  had  been  prodigal 
of  the  lives  of  his  soldiers,  as  long  as  he  thought 
a military  good  was  to  be  gained  by  the  sacrifice  ; 
but  he  was  sparing  of  their  blood  in  a hopeless 
cause,  and  weary  of  exasperating  the  enemy  by 
an  obstinate  yet  hopeless  defense. 

At  the  request  of  the  prince,  a parley  was 
granted,  and  the  master  commander  of  Leon,  Don 
Gutierrez  de  Cardenas,  was  appointed  to  confer 
with  the  veteran  alcayde  Mohammed.  They  met 
at  an  appointed  place,  within  view  of  both  camp 
and  city,  attended  by  cavaliers  of  either  army. 
Their  meeting  was  highly  courteous,  for  they  had 
learned,  from  rough  encounters  in  the  field,  to 
admire  each  other's  prowess.  The  commander 
of  Leon,  in  an  earnest  speech,  pointed  out  the 
hopelessness  of  any  further  defense,  and  warned 
Mohammed  of  the  ills  which  Malaga  had  in- 
curred by  its  obstinacy.  ‘‘  I promise  in  the 
name  of  my  sovereigns,”  said  he,  “ that  if  you 
surrender  immediately,  the  inhabitants  shall  be 
treated  as  subjects,  and  protected  in  property, 
liberty,  and  religion.  If  you  refuse,  you,  who 
are  now  renowned  as  an  able  and  judicious  com- 
mander, will  be  chargeable  with  the  confiscations, 
captivities,  and  deaths  which  may  be  sufiTered  by 
the  people  of  Baza.” 

The  commander  ceased,  and  Mohammed  re- 
turned to  the  city  to  consult  with  his  companions. 
It  was  evident  that  all  further  resistance  was 
hopeless ; but  the  Moorish  commanders  felt  that 
a cloud  might  rest  upon  their  names,  should  they, 
of  their  own  discretion,  surrender  so  important  a 


THE  MISSION  TO  QUAD IX. 


499 


place  without  its  having  sustained  an  assault. 
Prince  Cid  Hiaya  requested  permission,  therefore, 
to  send  an  envoy  to  Guadix,  with  a letter  to  the 
old  monarch  El  Zagal,  treating  of  the  surrender ; 
the  request  was  granted,  a safe  conduct  assured 
to  the  envoy,  and  Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan  de- 
parted upon  this  momentous  mission 


CHAPTER  LXXXI. 

Surrender  of  Baza. 

HE  old  warrior  king  was  seated  in  an 
inner  chamber  of  the  castle  of  Guadix, 
much  cast  down  in  spirit,  and  rumina- 
ting on  his  gloomy  fortunes,  when  an  envoy  from 
Baza  was  announced,  and  the  veteran  alcayde 
Mohammed  stood  before  him.  El  Zagal  saw  dis- 
astrous tidings  written  in  his  countenance  : How 

fares  it  with  Baza?”  said  he,  summoning  up  his 
spirits  to  the  question.  “ Let  this  inform  thee,” 
replied  Mohammed ; and  he  delivered  into  his 
hands  the  letter  from  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya. 

The  letter  spoke  of  the  desperate  situation  of 
Baza;  the  impossibility  of  holding  out  longer, 
without  assistance  from  El  Zagal ; ancf  the  favor- 
able terms  held  out  by  the  Castilian  sovereigns. 
Had  it  been  written  by  any  other  person,  El 
Zagal  might  have  received  it  with  distrust  and 
indignation ; but  he  confided  in  Cid  Hiaya  as  in 
a second  self,  and  the  words  of  his  letter  sank 
deep  in  his  heart.  When  he  had  finished  reading 
it,  he  sighed  deeply,  and  remained  for  some  time 
lost  in  thought,  with  his  head  drooping  upon  his 
bosom.  Recovering  himself  at  length,  he  called 
together  the  alfaquis  and  the  old  men  of  Guadix, 
and  solicited  their  advice.  It  was  a sign  of  sore 


EL  Z AG  ADS  DESPAIR. 


501 


trouble  of  mind  and  dejection  of  heart,  when  El 
Zagal  sought  the  advice  of  others  ; but  his  fierce 
courage  was  tamed,  for'  he  saw  the  end  of  his 
power  approaching.  The  alfaquis  and  the  old 
men  did  but  increase  the  distraction  of  his  mind 
by  a variety  of  counsel,  none  of  which  appeared 
of  any  avail ; for  unless  Baza  were  succored,  it 
was  impossible  that  it  should  hold  out ; and  every 
attempt  to  succor  it  had  proved  inetfectual. 

El  Zagal  dismissed  his  council  in  despair,  and 
summoned  the  veteran  Mohammed  before  him. 
“ God  is  great,”  exclaimed  he ; “ there  is  but  one 
God,  and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet ! Return  to 
my  cousin,  Cid  Hiaya ; tell  him  it  is  out  of  my 
power  to  aid  him ; he  must  do  as  seems  to  him 
for  the  best.  The  people  of  Baza  have  per- 
formed deeds  worthy  of  immortal  fame ; I cannot 
ask  them  to  encounter  further  ills  and  perils,  in 
maintaining  a hopeless  defense.” 

The  reply  of  El  Zagal  determined  the  fate  of 
the  city.  Cid  Fliaya  and  his  fellow-commanders 
capitulated,  and  were  granted  the  most  favorable 
terms.  The  cavaliers  and  soldiers  who  had  come 
from  other  parts  to  the  defense  of  the  place  were 
permitted  to  depart  with  their  arms,  horses,  and 
effects.  The  inhabitants  had  their  choice,  either 
to  depart  with  their  property,  or  dwell  in  the 
suburbs,  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  religion  and 
laws,  taking  an  oath  of  fealty  to  the  sovereigns, 
and  paying  the  same  tribute  they  had  paid  to  the 
Moorish  kings.  The  city  and  citadel  were  to  be 
delivered  up  in  six  days,  within  which  period  the 
inhabitants  were  to  remove  all  their  eflfects;  and 


502 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


in  the  mean  time  they  were  to  place,  as  hostages, 
fifteen  Moorish  youths,  sons  of  the  principal  in- 
habitants, in  the  hands  of  the  commander  of 
Leon.  When  Cid  Hiaya  and  the  alcayde  Mo- 
hammed came  to  deliver  up  the  hostages,  among 
whom  were  the  sons  of  the  latter,  they  paid  hom- 
age to  the  king  and  queen,  who  received  them 
with  the  utmost  courtesy  and  kindness,  and  or- 
dered magnificent  presents  to  be  given  to  them, 
and  likewise  to  the  other  Moorish  cavaliers,  con- 
sisting of  money,  robes,  horses,  and  other  things 
of  great  value. 

The  prince  Cid  Hiaya  was  so  captivated  by 
the  grace,  the  dignity,  and  generosity  of  Isabella, 
and  the  princely  courtesy  of  Ferdinand,  that  he 
vowed  never  again  to  draw  his  sword  against  such 
magnanimous  sovereigns.  The  queen,  charmed 
with  his  gallant  bearing  and  his  animated  profes- 
sions of  devotion,  assured  him  that,  having  him 
on  her  side,  she  already  considered  the  war  ter- 
minated which  had  desolated  the  kingdom  of 
Granada. 

Mighty  and  irresistible  are  the  w^ords  of  praise 
from  the  lips  of  sovereigns.  Cid  Hiaya  was  en- 
tirely subdued  by  this  fair  speech  from  the  illus- 
trious Isabella.  His  heart  burned  with  a sudden 
flame  of  loyalty  towards  the  sovereigns.  He 
begged  to  be  enrolled  amongst  the  most  devoted 
of  their  subjects ; and,  in  the  fervor  of  his  sud- 
den zeal,  engaged  not  merely  to  dedicate  his 
sword  to  their  service,  but  to  exert  all  his  influ- 
ence, which  was  great,  in  persuading  his  cousin, 
Muley  Abdallah  el  Zagal,  to  surrender  the  cities 


CONVERSION  OF  CID  El  AY  A, 


503 


of  Giiadix  and  Almeria,  and  to  give  up  all  fur- 
ther hostilities.  Nay,  so  powerful  was  the  effect 
produced  upon  his  mind  by  his  conversation  with 
the  sovereigns,  that  it  extended  even  to  his  re- 
ligion ; for  he  became  immediately  enlightened 
as  to  the  heathenish  abominations  of  the  vile  sect 
of  Mahomet,  and  struck  with  the  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity, as  illustrated  by  such  powerful  monarchs. 
He  consented,  therefore,  to  be  baptized,  and  to  be 
gathered  into  tlie  fold  of  the  church.  The  pious 
Agapida  indulges  in  a triumphant  strain  of  ex- 
ultation on  the  sudden  and  surprising  conversion 
of  this  princely  infidel:  he  considers  it  one  of 
the  greatest  achievements  of  the  Catholic  sove- 
reigns, and,  indeed,  one  of  the  marvelous  occur- 
rences of  this  holy  war.  “ But  it . is  given  to 
saints  and  pious  monarchs,”  says  he,  ‘‘  to  work 
miracles  in  the  cause  of  the  faith ; and  such  did 
the  most  Catholic  Ferdinand  in  the  conversion 
of  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya.” 

Some  of  the  Arabian  writers  have  sought  to 
lessen  the  wonder  of  this  miracle,  by  alluding  to 
great  revenues  granted  to  the  prince  and  his 
heirs  by  the  Castilian  monarchs,  together  with  a 
territory  in  Marchena,  with  towns,  lands,  and 
vassals ; but  in  this  (says  Agapida)  we  only  see 
a wise  precaution  of  King  Ferdinand  to  clinch 
and  secure  the  conversion  of  his  proselyte.  The 
policy  of  the  Catholic  monarch  was  at  all  times 
equal  to  his  piety.  Instead,  also,  of  vaunting  of 
this  great  conversion,  and  making  a public  parade 
of  the  entry  of  the  prince  into  the  church.  King 
Ferdinand  ordered  that  the  baptism  should  be 


504 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


performed  in  private,  and  kept  a profound  secret. 
He  feared  that  Cid  Hiaya  might  otherwise  be 
denounced  as  an  apostate,  and  abhorred  and  aban- 
doned by  the  Moors,  and  thus  his  influence  de- 
stroyed in  bringing  the  war  to  a speedy  termina- 
tion.^ 

The  veteran  Mohammed  Ibn  Hassan  was  like- 
wise won  by  the  magnanimity  and  munificence  of 
the  Castilian  sovereigns,  and  entreated  to  be  re- 
ceived into  their  service ; and  his  example  was 
followed  by  many  other  Moorish  cavaliers,  whose 
services  were  generously  accepted  and  magnifi- 
cently rewarded. 

Thus,  after  a siege  of  six  months  and  twenty 
days,  the  city  of  Baza  surrendered  on  the  4th  of 
December,  1489 ; the  festival  of  the  glorious 
Santa  Barbara,  who  is  said,  in  the  Catholic  cal- 
endar, to  preside  over  thunder  and  lightning,  fire 
and  gunpowder,  and  all  kinds  of  combustions  ex- 
plosions. The  king  and  queen  made  their  solemn 
and  triumphant  entry  on  the  following  day  ; and 
the  public  joy  was  heightened  by  the  sight  of 
upwards  of  five  hundred  Christian  captives,  men, 
women,  and  children,  delivered  from  the  Moorish 
dungeons. 

The  loss  of  the  Christians  in  this  siege  amounted 
to  twenty  thousand  men,  of  whom  seventeen 
thousand  died  of  disease,  and  not  a few  of  mere 
cold  — - a kind  of  death  (says  the  historian  Mari- 
ana) peculiarly  uncomfortable ; but  (adds  the 
venerable  Jesuit),  as  these  latter  were  chiefly 
people  of  ignoble  rank,  baggage-carriers  and  such 
like,  the  loss  was  not  of  great  importance. 

1 Conde,  tom.  3,  2ap.  40. 


POLITIC  LIBERALITY. 


505 


The  surrender  of  Baza  was  followed  by  that  of 
Admuiieoar,  Tavernas,  and  most  of  the  fortresses 
of  the  Alpuxarra  mountains ; the  inhabitants 
hoped,  by  prompt  and  voluntary  submission,  to 
secure  equally  favorable  terms  with  those  granted 
to  the  captured  city,  and  the  alcaydes  to  receive 
similar  rewards  to  those  lavished  on  its  comman- 
ders ; nor  were  either  of  them  disappointed. 
The  inhabitants  were  permitted  to  remain  as 
Mudexares,  in  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  their  prop- 
erty and  religion  ; and  as  to  the  alcaydes,  when 
they  came  to  the  camp  to  render  up  their  charges, 
they  were  received  by  Ferdinand  with  distin- 
guished favor,  and  rewarded  with  presents  of  money 
in  proportion  to  the  importance  of  the  places  they 
had  commanded.  Care  was  taken  by  the  politic 
monarch,  however,  not  to  wound  their  pride  nor 
shock  their  delicacy  ; so  these  sums  were  paid 
under  color  of  arrears  due  to  them  for  their  ser- 
vices to  the  former  government.  Ferdinand  had 
conquered  by  dint  of  sword,  in  the  earlier  part  of 
the  war ; but  he  found  gold  as  potent  as  steel,  in 
this  campaign  of  Baza. 

With  several  of  these  mercenary  chieftains 
came  one  named  Ali  Aben  Fahar,  a seasoned 
warrior,  who  had  held  many  important  commands. 
He  was  a Moor  of  a lofty,  stern,  and  melancholy 
aspect,  and  stood  silent  and  apart,  while  his  com- 
panions surrendered  their  several  fortresses  and 
retired  laden  with  treasure.  When  it  came  to  his 
turn  to  speak,  he  addressed  the  sovereigns  with 
the  frankness  of  a soldier,  but  with  the  tone  of 
dejection  and  despair. 


506 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


I am  a Moor,”  said  he,  ai^>  of  Moorish  lin- 
eage, and  am  alcayde  of  the  fair  towns  and  castles 
of  Purchena  and  Paterna.  These  were  intrusted  to 
me  to  defend ; but  those  who  should  have  stood 
by  me  have  lost  all  strength  and  courage,  and 
seek  only  for  security.  These  fortresses,  there- 
fore, most  potent  sovereigns,  are  yours,  whenever 
you  will  send  to  take  possession  of  them.” 

Large  sums  of  gold  were  immediately  ordered 
by  Ferdinand  to  be  delivered  to  the  alcayde,  as  a 
recompense  for  so  important  a surrender.  The 
Moor,  however,  put  back  the  gift  with  a firm  and 
dignified  demeanor : “ I came  not,”  said  he,  “ to 

sell  what  is  not  mine,  but  to  yield  what  fortune 
has  made  yours ; and  your  majesties  may  rest 
assured  that,  had  I been  properly  seconded,  death 
would  have  been  the  price  at  which  I would 
have  sold  my  fortresses,  and  not  the  gold  you 
offer  me.” 

The  Castilian  monarchs  were  struck  with  the 
lofty  and  loyal  spirit  of  the  Moor,  and  desired  to 
engage  a man  of  such  fidelity  in  their  service  ; 
but  the  proud  Moslem  could  not  be  induced  to 
serve  the  enemies  of  his  nation  and  his  faith. 

‘‘Is  there  nothing,  then,”  said  Queen  Isabella, 
“that  we  can  do  to  gratify  thee,  and  to  prove  to 
thee  our  regard  ? ” “ Yes,”  replied  the  Moor  ; 

“ I have  left  behind  me,  in  the  towns  and  valleys 
which  I have  surrendered,  many  of  my  unhappy 
countrymen,  with  their  wives  and  children,  who 
cannot  tear  themselves  from  their  native  abodes. 
Give  me  your  royal  word  that  they  shall  be  pro- 
tected in  the  peaceable  enjoyment  of  their  religion 


A FALLEN  PATRIOT, 


607 


and  their  homes.”  “ We  promise  it,”  said  Isabella; 

they  shall  dwell  in  peace  and  security.  But 
for  thyself — what  dost  thou  ask  for  thyself?” 
“ Nothing,”  replied  Ali,  but  permission  to  pass 
unmolested,  with  my  horses  and  effects,  into 
Africa.” 

The  Ca^ilian  monarchs  would  fain  have  forced 
upon  him  gold  and  silver,  and  superb  horses 
richly  caparisoned,  not  as  rewards,  but  as  marks 
of  personal  esteem  ; but  Ali  Aben  Fahar  declined 
all  presents  and  distinctions,  as  if  he  thought  it 
criminal  to  flourish  individually  during  a time  of 
public  distress  ; and  disdained  all  prosperity,  that 
seemed  to  grow  out  of  the  ruins  of  his  country. 

Having  received  a royal  passport,  he  gathered 
together  his  horses  and  servants,  his  armor  and 
weapons,  and  all  his  warlike  effects  ; bade  adieu 
to  his  w^eeping  countrymen  with  a brow  stamped 
with  anguish,  but  without  shedding  a tear ; and, 
mounting  his  Barbary  steed,  turned  his  back 
upon  the  delightful  valleys  of  his  conquered  coun- 
try, departing  on  his  lonely  way,  to  seek  a sol- 
dier’s fortune  amidst  the  burning  sands  of  Africa.^ 

1 Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  124.  Garibay,  lib.  40,  cap.  40.  Cura 
ie  los  Palacios. 


CHAPTER  LXXXII.  ^ 

Submission  of  El  Zagal  to  the  Castilian  Sovereigns. 

L tidings  never  fail  by  the  way, 
irough  lack  of  messengers  ; they  are 
afted  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  and  it 
is  as  if  the  very  birds  of  the  air  would  bear  them 
to  the  ear  of  the  unfortunate.  The  old  king  El 
Zagal  buried  himself  in  the  recesses  of  his  castle, 
to  hide  himself  from  the  light  of  day,  which  no  ^ 
longer  shone  prosperously  upon  him  ; but  every 
hour  brought  missives  thundering  at  the  gate, 
with  the  tale  of  some  new  disaster.  Fortress 
after  fortress  had  laid  its  keys  at  the  feet  of  the 
Christian  sovereigns : sti*ip  by  strip,  of  warrior 
mountain  and  green,  fruitful  valley,  was  torn  from 
his  domains,  and  added  to  the  territories  of  the 
conquerors.  Scarcely  a remnant  remained  to  him, 
except  a tract  of  the  Alpuxarras,  and  the  noble 
cities  of  Guadix  and  Almeria.  No  one  any  longer  i 

stood  in  awe  of  the  fierce  old  monarch  ; the  terror  i 

of  his  frown  had  declined  with  his  power.  He  had  | 

arrived  at  that  state  of  adversity,  when  a man’s  I 

friends  feel  emboldened  to  tell  him  hard  truths, 
and  to  give  him  unpalatable  advice  ; and  when  \ 

his  spirit  is  bowed  down  to  listen  quietly,  if  not  ^ 

meekly.  ^ 


CID  BIATA^S  MISSION. 


509 


El  Zagal  was  seated  on  his  divan,  his  whole 
spirit  absorbed  in  rumination  on  the  transitory 
nature  of  human  glory,  when  his  kinsman  and 
brother-in-law,  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya,  was  an- 
nounced. That  illustrious  convert  to  the  true 
laith  and  the  interests  of  the  conquerors  of  his 
country,  had  hastened  to  Guadix  with  all  the 
fervor  of  a new  proselyte,  eager#  to  prove  his  zeal 
in  the  service  of  Heaven  and  the  Castilian  sove- 
reigns, by  persuading  the  old  monarch  to  abjure 
his  faith  and  surrender  his  possessions. 

Cid  Hiaya  still  bore  the  guise  of  a Moslem, 
for  his  conversion  was  as  yet  a secret.  The  stern 
heart  of  El  Zagal  softened  at  beholding  the  face 
of  a kinsman,  in  this  hour  of  adversity.  He 
folded  his  cousin  to  his  bosom,  and  gave  thanks 
to  Allah  that  amidst  all  his  troubles  he  had  still 
a friend  and  counselor  on  whom  he  might  rely. 

Cid  Hiaya  soon  entered  upon  the  real  pur- 
pose of  his  mission.  He  represented  to  El  Zagal 
the  desperate  state  of  affairs,  and  the  irretrievable 
decline  of  Moorish  power  in  ihe  kingdom  of  Gra- 
nada. “Fate,”  said  he,  “is  against  our  arms; 
our  ruin  is  written  in  the  heavens.  Remember 
the  prediction  of  the  astrologers,  at  the  birth  of 
your  nephew  Boabdil.  We  hoped  that  their 
prediction  was  accomplished  by  his  capture  at 
Lucena ; but  it  is  now  evident  that  the  stars  por- 
tended not  a temporary  and  passing  reverse  of 
the  kingdom,  but  a final  overthrow.  The  con- 
stant succession  of  disasters  which  have  attended 
our  eflbrts,  show  that  the  sceptre  of  Granada  is 
doomed  to  pass  into  tlie  hands  of  the  Christian 


510 


CONQUEST  OF  GRA^^ADA, 


monarchs.  Such/’  concluded  the  prince  emphat- 
ically, and  with  a profound  and  pious  reverence, 
“ such  is  the  almighty  will  of  God ! ” 

El  Zagal  listened  to  these  words  in  mute  atten- 
tion, without  so  much  as  moving  a muscle  of  his 
face,  or  winking  an  eyelid.  When  the  prince  had 
concluded,  he  remained  for  a long  time  silent  and 
pensive ; at  length,  heaving  a profound  sigh  from 
the  very  bottom  of  his  heart,  “ Alahuma  subahana 
hu  ! ” exclaimed  he,  “ the  will  of  God  be  done ! 
Yes,  my  cousin,  it  is  but  too  evident  that  such  is 
the  will  of  Allah  ; and  what  he  wills,  he  fails  not 
to  accomplish.  Had  he  not  decreed  the  fall  of 
Granada,  this  arm  and  this  scirnetar  would  have 
maintained  it.”^ 

“ What  then  remains,”  said  Cid  Hiaya,  “ but  to 
draw  the  most  advantage  from  the  wreck  of  em- 
pire left  to  you  ? To  persist  in  a war  is  to  bring 
complete  desolation  upon  the  land,  and  ruin  and 
death  upon  its  faithful  inhabitants.  Are  you  dis- 
posed to  yield  up  your  remaining  towns  to  your 
nephew  El  Chico,  that  they  may  augment  his 
power,  and  derive  protection  from  his  alliance  with 
the  Christian  sovereigns?” 

The  eye  of  El  Zagal  flashed  fire  at  this  sug- 
gestion. He  grasped  the  hilt  of  his  scirnetar,  and 
gnashed  his  teeth  in  fury.  “ Never,”  cried  he, 
“ will  I make  terms  with  that  recreant  and 
slave ! Sooner  would  I see  the  banners  of  the 
Christian  monarchs  floating  above  my  walls,  than 
they  should  add  to  the  possessions  of  the  vassal 
Boabdil ! ” 


1 Conde,  tom.  3,  cap.  40. 


SUBMISSION  OF  EL  ZAGAL. 


511 


Cid  Hiaya  immediately  seized  upon  this  idea, 
and  urged  El  Zagal  to  make  a frank  and  entire 
surrender : “ Trust,”  said  he,  “ to  the  magnan- 
imity of  the  Castilian  sovereigns  ; they  will  doubt- 
less grant  you  high  and  honorable  terms.  It  is 
better  to  yield  to  them  as  friends,  what  they  must 
infallibly  and  before  long  wrest  from  you  as  ene- 
mies ; for  such,  my  cousin,  is  the  almighty  will 
of  God  ! ” 

“ Alahuma  subahana  hu  ! ” repeated  El  Zagal, 
the  will  of  God  be  done  ! ” So  the  old  mon- 
arch bowed  his  haughty  neck,  and  agreed  to  sur- 
render his  territories  to  the  enemies  of  his  faith, 
rather  than  suffer  them  to  augment  the  Moslem 
power  under  the  sway  of  his  nephew. 

Cid  Hiaya  now  returned  to  Baza,  empowered 
by  El  Zagal  to  treat  on  his  behalf  with  the 
Christian  sovereigns.  The  prince  felt  a species 
of  exultation,  as  he  expatiated  on  the  rich  relics 
of  empire  which  he  was  authorized  to  cede. 
There  was  a great  part  of  that  line  of  mountains 
extending  from  the  metropolis  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean sea,  with  their  series  of  beautiful  green 
valleys,  like  precious  emeralds  set  in  a golden 
chain.  Above  all,  there  were  Giiadix  and  Al- 
meria,  two  of  the  most  inestimable  jewels  in  the 
crown  of  Granada. 

In  return  for  these  possessions,  and  for  the 
claim  of  El  Zagal  to  the  rest  of  the  kingdom,  the 
sovereigns  received  him  into  their  friendship  and 
alliance,  and  gave  him  in  perpetual  inheritance 
the  territory  of  Andarax  and  the  valley  of  Al- 
haurin  in  the  Alpuxarras,  with  the  fourth  part  of 


512  CONQUEST  OF  GRANDAD  A, 

the  salinas  or  salt-pits  of  Malaha.  He  was  to  eri" 
joy  the  title  of  king  of  Andarax,  with  two  thou- 
sand Mudexares,  or  conquered  Moors,  for  subjects ; 
and  his  revenues  were  to  be  made  up  to  the  sum 
of  four  millions  of  marevedis.  ‘All  these  he  was 
to  hold  as  a vassal  of  the  Castilian  crown. 

These  arrangements  being  made,  Cid  Hiaya 
returned  with  them  to  Muley  Abdallah  ; and  it 
was  concerted  that  the  ceremony  of  surrender  and 
homage  should  take  place  at  the  city  of  Almeria. 

On  the  17th  of  December  King  Ferdinand 
departed  for  that  city.  Cid  Hiaya  and  his.prin 
cipal  officers,  incorporated  with  a division  com- 
manded by  the  count  de  Tendilla,  marched  in  the 
van-guard.  The  king  was  with  the  centre  of  the 
army,  and  the  queen  with  the  rear-guard.  In 
this  martial  state  Ferdinand  passed  by  several  of 
the  newly  acquired  towns,  exulting  in  these  tro- 
phies of  his  policy  rather  than  his  valor.  In  trav- 
ersing the  mountainous  region,  which  extends 
towards  the  Mediterranean,  the  army  suffered  ex- 
ceedingly from  raging  vandavales,  or  southwest 
gales,  accompanied  by  snow-storms.  Several  of 
the  soldiers  and  many  horses  and  beasts  of  bur- 
den, perished  with  the  cold.  One  of  the  divisions 
under  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  found  it  impossible 
to  traverse  in  one  day  the  frozen  summits  of  Fil- 
abres,  and  had  to  pass  the  night  in  those  inclement 
regions.  The  marques  caused  two  immense  fires 
to  be  kindled  in  the  vicinity  of  his  encampment 
to  guide  and  enlighten  those  lost ‘and  wandering 
among  the  defiles,  and  to  warm  those  who  were 
benumbed  and  almost  frozen. 


CAPITULATION  OF  EL  ZAGAL.  513 


The  king  halted  at  Tavernas,  to  collect  his  scat- 
tered troops  and  give  them  time  to  breathe  after 
the  hardships  of  the  mountains.  The  queen  was 
travelling  a day’s  march  in  the  rear. 

On  the  21st  of  December,  the  king  arrived  and 
encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  Almeria.  Under- 
standing that  El  Zagal  was  sallying  forth  to 
pay  him  homage,  according  to  appointment,  he 
mounted  on  horseback  and  rode  forth  to  receive 
him,  attended  by  Don  Alonzo  de  Cardenas,  mas- 
ter of  Santiago,  on  his  right  hand,  and  the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz  on  his  left,  and  dispatched  in  the 
advance  Don  Gutierrez  de  Cardenas,  commander 
of  Leon,  and  other  cavaliers  to  meet  and  form  au 
honorable  escort  to  the  Moorish  monarch.  With 
this  escort  went  that  curious  eye-witness,  Peter 
Martyr,  from  whom  we  have  many  of  these  par- 
ticulars. 

El  Zagal  was  accompanied  by  twelve  cavaliers 
on  horseback,  among  whom  was  his  cousin,  the 
prince  Cid  Hiaya  (who  had  no  doubt  joined  him 
from  the  Spanish  camp)  and  the  brave  Reduan 
Vanegas.  Peter  Martyr  declares  that  the  appear- 
ance of  El  Zagal  touched  him  with  compassion, 
for  though  a “lawless  barbarian,  he  was  a king, 
and  had  given  signal  proofs  of  heroism.”  The 
historian  Palencia  gives  us  a particular  descrip- 
tion of  his  appearance.  He  was,  says  he,  of 
elevated  stature  and  well  proportioned,  neither 
robust  nor  meagre  ; the  natural  fairness  of  his 
countenance  \yas  increased  by  an  extreme  pale- 
ness which  gave  it  a melancholy  expression.  His 
aspect  was  grave ; his  movements  were  quiet, 
33 


514 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


noble,  and  dignified.  He  was  modestly  attired  in 
a garb  of  mourning,  a sayo,  or  loose  surcoat,  of 
dark  cloth,  a simple  albornoz  or  Moorish  mantle, 
and  a turban  of  dazzling  whiteness. 

On  being  met  by  the  commander,  Gutierrez  de 
Cardenas,  El  Zagal  saluted  him  courteously,  as 
well  as  the  cavaliers  who  accompanied  him,  and 
rode  on,  conversing  with  him  through  the  medium 
of  interpreters.  Beholding  King  Ferdinand  and 
his  splendid  train  at  a distance,  he  alighted  and 
advanced  towards  him  on  foot.  The  punctilious 
Ferdinand  supposing  this  voluntary  act  of  humil- 
iation had  been  imposed  by  Don  Gutierrez,  told 
that  cavalier,  with  some  asperity,  that  it  was  an 
act  of  great  discourtesy  to  cause  a vanquished 
king  to  alight  before  another  king  who  was  victo- 
rious. At  the  same  time  he  made  him  signs  to 
remount  his  horse  and  place  himself  by  his  side. 
El  Zagal,  persisting  in  his  act  of  homage,  offered 
to  kiss  the  king’s  hand  ; but  being  prevented  by 
that  monarch,  he  kissed  his  own  hand,  as  the 
Moorish  cavaliers  were  accustomed  to  do  in 
presence  of  their  sovereigns  ; and  accompanied 
the  gesture  by  a few  words  expressive  of  obe- 
dience and  fealty.  Ferdinand  replied  in  a gra- 
cious and  amiable  manner ; and  causing  him  to 
remount  and  place  himself  on  his  left  hand,  they 
proceeded,  followed  by  the  whole  train  to  the 
royal  pavilion,  pitched  in  the  most  conspicuous 
part  of  the  camp. 

There  a banquet  was  served  up  to  the  two 
kings,  accoiding  to  the  rigorous  style  and  etiquette 
of  the  Spanish  court.  They  were  seated  in  two 


FORMAL  SURRENDER  OF  ALMERIA.  515 


chairs  of  state  under  the  same  canopy,  El  Zagal 
on  the  left  hand  of  Ferdinand.  The  cavaliers 
and  courtiers  admitted  to  the  royal  pavilion  re- 
mained standing.  The  count  de  Tendilla  served 
the  viands  to  King  Ferdinand  in  golden  dishes, 
and  the  count  Cifuentes  gave  him  to  drink  out 
of  cups  of  the  same  precious  metal  ; Don  Al- 
vara  Bazan  and  Garcilasso  de  la  Vega  performed 
the  same  offices  in  similar  style  and  with  vessels 
of  equal  richness,  to  the  Moorish  monarch. 

The  banquet  ended,  El  Zagal  took  courteous 
leave  of  Ferdinand,  and  sallied  from  the  pavilion 
attended  by  the  cavaliers  who  had  neen  present. 
Each  of  these  now  made  himself  known  to  the 
old  monarch  by  his  name,  title  or  dignity,  and 
each  received  an  affable  gesture  in  reply.  They 
would  all  have  escorted  the  old  king  back  to  the 
gates  of  Almeria,  but  he  insisted  on  their  remain- 
ing in  the  camp,  and  with  difficulty  could  be  per- 
suaded upon  to  accept  the  honorable  attendance 
of  the  marques  of  Villen  a,  the  commander,  Don 
Gutierrez  de  Cardenas,  the  count  de  Cifuentes, 
and  Don  Luis  Puerto  Carrero. 

On  the  following  morning  (2 2d  December), 
the  troops  were  all  drawn  out  in  splendid  array 
in  front  of  the  camp,  awaiting  the  signal  of  the 
formal  surrender  of  the  city.  This  was  given  at 
midday,  when  the  gates  were  thrown  open  and  a 
corps  marched  in,  led  by  Don  Gutierrez  de  Car- 
denas, who  had  been  appointed  governor.  In  a 
little  while  tlje  gleam  of  Christian  warriors  was 
seen  on  the  walls  and  bulwarks  ; the  blessed  cross 
was  planted  in  place  of  the  standard  of  Mahomet, 


516 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


and  the  banner  of  the  sovereigns  floated  trium-^ 
phantly  above  the  Alcazar.  At  the  same  time  a 
numerous  deputation  of  alfaquis  and  the  noblest 
and  wealthiest  inhabitants  of  the  place  sallied 
forth  to  pay  homage  to  King  Ferdinand. 

On  the  23d  of  December,  the  king  himself  en- 
tered the  city  with  grand  military  and  religious 
pomp,  and  repaired  to  the  mosque  of  the  castle, 
which  had  been  previously  purified  and  sancti- 
fied and  converted  into  a Christian  temple  ; here 
grand  mass  was  performed  in  solemn  celebration 
of  this  great  triumph  of  the  faith. 

These  ceremonies  were  scarcely  completed, 
when  joyful  notice  was  given  of  the  approach  of 
the  Queen  Isabella,  with  the  rear-guard  of  the 
army.  She  came  accompanied  by  the  princess 
Isabella,  and  attended  by  her  ghostly  counselor, 
the  cardinal  Mendoza,  and  her  confessor,  Talavera. 
The  king  sallied  forth  to  meet  her,  accompanied 
by  El  Zagal,  and  it  is  said  the  reception  of  the 
latter  by  the  queen  was  characterized  by  that  def- 
erence and  considerate  delicacy  which  belonged 
to  her  magnanimous  nature. 

The  surrender  of  Almeria  was  followed  by 
that  of  Almunecar  Salobrina,  and  other  fortified 
places  of  the  coast  and  the  interior,  and  detach- 
ments of  Christian  troops  took  quiet  possession 
of  the  Alpuxarra  mountains  and  their  secluded 
and  fertile  valleys.^ 

1 Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap.  93,  94.  Piilgar,  Cron.  pt.  3, 
cap.  124.  Garibay,  Comp.  Hist.  lib.  18,  cap.  37,  &c.,  &c., 


CHAPTER  LXXXIII. 

Events  at  Granada,  subsequent  to  the  Submission  of  El  ZagaL 

HO  can  tell  when  to  rejoice,  in  this 
fluctuating  world  ? Every  wave  of  pros- 
perity has  its  reacting  surge,  and  we 
are  often  overwhelmed  by  the  very  billow  on 
which  we  thought  to  be  wafted  into  the  haven  of 
our  hopes.  When  Yusef  Aben  Comixa,  the 
vizier  of  Boabdil,  surnamed  El  Chico,  entered 
the  royal  saloon  of  the  Alhambra  and  announced 
the  capitulation  of  El  Zagal,  the  heart  of  the 
youthful  monarch  leaped  for  joy.  His  great  wish 
was  accomplished ; his  uncle  was  defeated  and 
dethroned,  and  he  reigned  without  a rival,  sole 
monarch  of  Granada.  At  length,  he  was  about 
to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  humiliation  and  vassal- 
age.  He  beheld  his  throne  fortified  by  the  friend- 
ship and  alliance  of  the  Castilian  monarchs  ; there 
could  be  no  question,  therefore,  of  its  stability. 
“ Allah  Achbar  ! God  is  great ! ’’  exclaimed  he  ; 
‘ Kejoice  with  me,  O Yusef ; the  stars  have  ceased 
(heir  persecution.  Henceforth  let  no  man  call  me 
El  Zogoybi.” 

In  the  first  moment  of  his  exultation,  Boabdil 
would  have  orderecl^  public  rejoicings  ; but  the 
shrewd  Yusef  shook  his  head.  “ The  tempest 


518 


CONQUEST  OF  GBANABA, 


has  cease(^,  from  one  point  of  the  heavens,”  said 
he,  “but  it  may  begin  to  rage  from  another.  A 
troubled  sea  is  beneath  us,  and  we  are  surrounded 
by  rocks  and  quicksands : let  my  lord  the  king 
defer  rejoicings,  until  all  has  settled  into  a calm.” 
El  Chico,  however,  could  not  remain  tranquil  in 
this  day  of  exultation  : he  ordered  his  steed  to  be 
sumptuously  caparisoned,  and  issuing  out  of  the 
gate  of  the  Alhambra,  descended,  with  glittering 
retinue,  along  the  avenue  of  trees  and  fountains, 
into  the  city,  to  receive  the  acclamations  of  the 
populace.  As  he  entered  the  great  square  of  the 
Vivarrambla,  he  beheld  crowds  of  people  in 
violent  agitation ; but,  as  he  approached,  what 
was  his  surprise,  to  hear  groans  and  miirmurs  and 
bursts  of  execration ! The  tidings  had  spread 
through  Granada,  that  Muley  Abdallah  El  Zagal 
had  been  driven  to  capitulate,  and  that  all  his 
territories  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Chris- 
tians. No  one  had  inquired  into  the  particulars, 
but  all  Granada  had  been  thrown  into  a ferment 
of  grief  and  indignation.  In  the  heat  of  the 
moment,  old  Muley  was  extolled  to  the  skies  as  a 
patriot  prince,  who  had  fought  to  the  last  for  the 
salvation  of  his  country  — as  a mirror  of  mon- 
archs,  scorning  to  compromise  the  dignity  of  his 
crown  by  any  act  of  vassalage.  Boabdil,  on  the 
contrary,  had  looked  on  exultingly  at  the  hopeless 
yet  heroic  struggle  of  his  uncle  ; he  had  rejoiced 
in  the  defeat  of  the  faithful,  and  the  triumph  of 
unbelievers ; he  had  aided  the  dismemberment 
and  downfall  of  the  empire.  When  they  beheld 
him  riding  forth  in  gorgeous  state,  on  what  they 


SURRENDER  OF  GRANADA  DEMANDED,  519 


considered  a day  of  humiliation  for  all  true  Mos- 
lems, they  could  not  contain  their  rage  ; and 
amidst  the  clamors  that  met  his  ears,  Boabdil 
more  than  once  head  his  name  coupled  with  the 
epithets  of  traitor  and  renegado. 

Shocked  and  discomfited,  the  youthful  monarch 
returned  in  confusion  to  the  Alhambra  ; shut  him- 
self up  within  its  innermost  courts,  and  remained 
a kind  of  voluntary  prisoner  until  the  first  burst  of 
popular  feeling  should  subside.  He  trusted  that  it 
would  soon  pass  away  ; that  the  people  would  be 
too  sensible  of  the  sweets  of  peace,  to  repine  at 
the  price  at  which  it  was  obtained ; at  any  rate, 
he  trusted  to  the  strong  friendship  of  the  Chris- 
tian sovereigns,  to  secure  him  even  against  the 
factions  of  his  subjects. 

The  first  missives  from  the  politic  Ferdinand 
showed  Boabdil  the  value  of  his  friendship.  The 
Christian  monarch  reminded  him  of  a treaty 
which  he  had  made  when  captured  in  the  city  of 
Loxa.  By  this,  he  had  engaged  that,  in  case  the 
Catholic  sovereigns  should  capture  the  cities  of 
Guadix,  Baza,  and  Almeria,  he  would  surrender 
Granada  into  their  hands  within  a limited  time, 
and  accept  in  exchange  certain  Moorish  towns,  to 
be  held  by  him  as  their  vassal.  Guadix,  Baza, 
and  Almeria,  had  now  fallen  ; Ferdinand  called 
upon  him,  therefore,  to  fulfill  his  engagement. 

If  the  unfortunate  Boabdil  had  possessed  the 
will,  he  had  not  the  power  to  comply  with  this 
demand.  He  was  shut  up  in  the  Alhambra,  while 
a tempest  of  popular  fury  raged  without.  Gra 
nada  was  thronged  by  refugees  from  the  capture^ 


520 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


towns,  many  of  them  disbanded  soldiers,  and  others 
broken-down  citizens,  rendered  fierce  and  desper- 
ate by  ruin.  All  railed  at  him,  as  the  real  cause 
of  their  misfortunes.  How  was  he  to  venture 
forth  in  such  a storm  ? — above  all,  how  was  he 
to  talk  to  such  men  of  surrender  ? Irr  his  reply 
to  Ferdinand,  he  represented  the  difficulties  of 
his  situation,  and  that,  so  far  from  having  control 
over  his  subjects,  his  very  life  was  in  danger  from 
their  turbulence.  He  entreated  the  king,  there- 
fore, to  rest  satisfied  for  the  present  with  his  re- 
cent conquests,  promising  that  should  he  be  able 
to  regain  full  empire  over  his  capital  and  its  in- 
habitants, it  would  be  but  to  rule  over  them  as 
vassal  to  the  Castilian  crown. 

Ferdinand  was  not  to  be  satisfied  with  such  a 
reply.  The  time  was  come  to  bring  his  game  of 
policy  to  a close,  and  to  consummate  his  conquest, 
by  seating  himself  on  the  throne  of  the  Alhambra. 
Professing  to  consider  Boabdil  as  a faithless  ally, 
who  had  broken  his  plighted  word,  he  discarded 
him  from  his  friendship,  and  addressed  a second 
letter,  not  to  him,  but  to  the  commanders  and 
council  of  the  city.  He  demanded  a complete 
surrender  of  the  place,  with  all  the  arms  in  the 
possession  either  of  the  citizens  or  of  others  who 
had  recently  taken  refuge  within  its  walls.  If  the 
inhabitants  should  comply  with  this  summons,  he 
promised  them  the  indulgent  terms  granted  to 
Baza,  Guadix,  and  Almeria  ; if  they  should  refuse, 
he  threatened  them  with  the  fate  of  Malaga.^ 

This  message  produced  the  greatest  commolion 
1 Cura  de  los  Palacios,  cap.  96. 


MUZA  ABUL  GAZAN, 


521 


in  the  city.  The  inhabitants  of  the  Alcaiceria, 
that  busy  hive  of  traffic,  and  all  others  who  had 
tasted  the  sweets  of  gainful  commerce  during  the 
late  cessation  of  hostilities,  were  for  securing  their 
golden  advantages  by  timely  submission : others, 
who  had  wives  and  children,  looked  on  them  with 
tenderness  and  solicitude,  and  dreaded,  by  resis- 
tance, to  bring  upon  them  the  horrors  of  slavery. 

On  the  other  hand,  Granada  was  crowded  with 
men  from  all  parts,  ruined  by  the  war,  exasperated 
by  their  sufferings,  and  eager  only  for  revenge  ; 
with  others,  who  had  been  reared  amidst  hostilities, 
who  had  lived  by  the  sword,  and  whom  a return 
of  peace  would  leave  without  home  or  hope. 
Besides  these,  there  were  others  no  less  tiery  and 
warlike  in  disposition,  but  animated  by  a loftier 
spirit.  These  were  valiant  and  haughty  cavaliers 
of  the  old  chivalrous  lineages,  who  had  inherited-'' 
a deadly  hatred  to  the  Christians  from  a long  line 
of  warrior  ancestors,  and  to  whom  the  idea  was 
worse  than  death,  that  Granada,  illustrious  Gra- 
nada ! for  ages  the  seat  of  Moorish  grandeur  and 
delight,  should  become  the  abode  of  unbelievers. 

Among  these  cavaliers,  the  most  eminent  was 
Muza  Abul  Gazan.  He  was  of  royal  lineage,  of 
a proud  and  generous  nature,  and  a form  combin- 
ing manly  strength  and  beauty.  None  could  excel 
him  in  the  management  of  the  horse,  and  dexter- 
ous use  of  all  kinds  of  weapons : his  gracefulness 
and  skill  in  the  tourney  were  the  theme  of  praise 
among  the  Moorish  dames,  and  his  prowess  in  the 
field  had  made  him  the  terror  of  the  enemy.  He 
had  long  repined  at  the  timid  policy  of  Boabdil, 


522 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


and  endeavored  to  counteract  its  enervating  ef- 
fects, and  keep  alive  the  martial  spirit  of  Granada. 
For  this  reason,  he  had  promoted  jousts  and  tilt- 
ings  with  the  reed,  and  all  those  other  public 
games  which  bear  the  semblance  of  war.  He  en- 
deavored also  to  inculcate  into  his  companions  in 
arms  those  high  chivalrous  sentiments  wliich  lead 
to  valiant  and  magnanimous  deeds,  but  which  are 
apt  to  decline  with  the  independence  of  a nation. 
The  generous  efforts  of  Muza  had  been  in  a great 
measure  successful : he  was  the  idol  of  the  youth- 
ful cavaliers ; they  regarded  him  as  a mirror  of 
chivalry,  and  endeavored  to  imitate  his  lofty  and 
heroic  virtues. 

When  Muza  heard  the  demand  of  Ferdinand 
that  they  should  deliver  up  their  arms,  his  eye 
flashed  fire : Does  the  Christian  king  think  that 

we  are  old  men,”  said  he,  “ and  that  staffs  will 
suffice  us  ? — - or  that  we  are  women,  and  can  be 
contented  with  distaffs  ? Let  him  know  that  a 
Moor  is  born  to  the  spear  and  scimetar;  to  career 
the  steed,  bend  the  bow,  and  launch  the  javelin  : 
deprive  him  of  these,  and  you  deprive  him  of  his 
nature.  If  the  Christian  king  desires  our  arms, 
let  him  come  and  win  them  ; but  let  him  win 
them  dearly.  For  my  part,  sweeter  were  a grave 
beneath  the  walls  of  Granada,  on  the  spot  I had 
died  to  defend,  than  the  richest  couch  within  her 
palaces,  earned  by  submission  to  the  unbeliever.” 

The  words  of  Muza  were  received  with  enthu- 
siastic shouts,  by  the  warlike  part  of  the  popu- 
lace.  Granada  once  more  awoke,  as  a warrior 
shaking  off  a disgraceful  lethargy.  The  com- 


REFUSAL  TO  SURRENDER. 


523 


manders  and  council  partook  of  the  public  excite- 
ment, and  dispatched  a reply  to  the  Christian 
sovereigns,  declaring  that  they  would  suffer  death 
rather  than  surrender  their  city. 


CHAPTER  LXXXIV. 

How  King  Ferdinand  turned  his  Hostilities  against  the  City 
of  Granada. 

HEN  King  Ferdinand  received  the  de- 
fiance of  the  Moors,  he  made  prepara 
tions  for  bitter  hostilities.  The  winter 
season  did  not  admit  of  an  immediate  campaign ; 
he  contented  himself,  therefore,  with  throwing 
strong  garrisons  into  all  his  towns  and  fortresses 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Granada,  and  gave  the 
command  of  all  the  frontier  of  Jaen  to  Inigo 
Lopez  de  Mendoza,  count  of  Tendilla,  who  had 
shown  such  consummate  vigilance  and  address  in 
maintaining  the  dangerous  post  of  Alhama.  This 
renowned  veteran  established  his  head-quarters 
in  the  mountain  city  of  Alcala  la  Real,  within 
eight  leagues  of  the  city  of  Granada,  and  com- 
manding the  most  important  passes  of  that  rug- 
ged frontier. 

In  the  mean  time,  Granada  resounded  with 
the  stir  of  war.  The  chivalry  of  the  nation  had 
again  control  of  its  councils ; and  the  populace, 
having  once  more  resumed  their  weapons,  were 
anxious  to  wipe  out  the  disgrace  of  their  late 
passive  submission,  by  signal  and  daring  exploits. 

Muza  Abul  Gazan  was  the  soul  of  action.  He 
ijommanded  the  cavalry,  which  he  had  disciplined 


FERDINAND'S  POLICY, 


525 


with  uncommon  skill ; he  was  surrounded  by  the 
noblest  youth  of  Granada,  who  had  caught  his 
own  generous  and  martial  fire,  and  panted  for 
the  field  ; while  the  common  soldiers,  devoted  to 
his  person,  were  ready  to  follow  him  in  the  most 
desperate  enterprises.  He  did  not  allow  their 
courage  to  cool  for  want  of  action.  The  gates 
of  Granada  once  more  poured  forth  legions  of 
light  scouring  cavalry,  which  skirred  the  country 
up  to  the  very  gates  of  the  Christian  fortresses, 
sweeping  off  flocks  and  herds.  The  name  of 
Muza  became  formidable  throughout  the  frontier ; 
he  had  many  encounters  with  the  enemy  in  the 
rough  passes  of  the  mountains,  in  which  the  su- 
perior lightness  and  dexterity  of  his  cavalry  gave 
him  the  advantage.  The  sight  of  his  glistening 
legion,  returning  across  the  vega  with  long  caval- 
gadas  of  booty,  was  hailed  by  the  Moors  as  a 
revival  of  their  ancient  triumphs  ; but  when  they 
beheld,  Christian  banners  borne  into  their  gates 
as  trophies,  the  exultation  of  the  light-minded 
populace  was  beyond  all  bounds. 

The  winter  passed  away ; the  spring  advanced, 
yet  Ferdinand  delayed  to  take  the  field.  He  knew 
the  city  of  Granada  was  too  strong  and  populous 
to  be  taken  by  assault,  and  too  full  of  provisions 
to  be  speedily  reduced  by  siege.  “ We  must  have 
patience  and  perseverance,”  said  the  politic  mon- 
arch ; “ by  ravaging  the  country  this  year,  we 
shall  produce  a scarcity  the  next,  and  then  the 
city  may  be  invested  with  effect.” 

An  interval  of  peace,  aided  by  the  quick  vege- 
tation of  a prolific  soil  and  happy  climate,  had 


526 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


restored  the  vega  to  all  its  luxuriance  and  beauty  ; 
the  green  pastures  on  the  borders  of  the  Xenil 
were  covered  with  flocks  and  herds ; the  bloom- 
ing orchards  gave  promise  of  abundant  fruit,  and 
the  open  plain  was  waving  with  ripening  corn. 
The  time  was  at  hand  to  put  in  the  sickle  and 
reap  the  golden  harvest,  when  suddenly  a torrent 
of  war  came  sweeping  down  from  the  mountains ; 
and  Ferdinand,  with  an  army  of  five  thousand 
horse  and  twenty  thousand  foot,  appeared  before 
the  walls  of  Granada.  He  had  left  the  queen  and 
princess  at  the  fortress  of  Moclin,  and  came  at- 
tended by  the  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia,  the  mar- 
ques of  Cadiz,  the  marques  de  Villena,  the  counts 
of  Urena  and  Cabra,  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  and 
other  renowned  cavaliers.  On  this  occasion,  he 
for  the  first  time  led  his  son  prince  Juan  into  the 
field,  and  bestowed  upon  him  the  dignity  of  knight- 
hood. As  if  to  stimulate  him  to  grand  achieve- 
ments, the  ceremony  took  place  on  the  banks  of 
the  grand  canal,  almost  beneath  the  embattled 
walls  of  that  warlike  city,  the  object  of  such  dar- 
ing* enterprises,  and  in  the  midst  of  that  famous 
vega,  the  field  of  so  many  chivalrous  exploits. 
Above  them  shone  resplendent  the  red  towers  of 
the  Alhambra,  rising  from  amidst  delicious  groves, 
with  the  standard  of  Mahomet  waving  defiance  to 
the  Christian  arms. 

The  duke  of  Medina  Sidonia,  and  Roderigo 
Ponce  de  Leon,  marques  of  Cadiz,  were  spon- 
sors ; and  all  the  chivalry  of  the  camp  was  as- 
sembled on  the  occasion.  The  prince,  after  he  was 
knighted,  bestowed  the  same  honor  on  several 


SKIRMISHING  BEFORE  GRANADA  527 


youthful  cavaliers  of  high  rank,  j ust  entering,  like 
himself,  on  the  career  of  arms. 

Ferdinand  did  not  loiter,  in  carrying  his  des- 
olating plans  into  execution.  He  detached  par- 
ties in  every  direction,  to  lay  waste  the  country  ; 
villages  were  sacked,  burnt,  and  destroyed,  and 
the  lovely  vega  was  once  more  laid  waste  with 
fire  and  sword.  The  ravage  was  carried  so  close 
to  Granada,  that  the  city  was  wrapped  in  the 
smoke  of  its  gardens  and  hamlets.  The  dismal 
cloud  rolled  up  the  hill  and  hung  about  the  tow- 
ers of  the  Alhambra,  where  the  unfortunate  Boab- 
dil  still  remained  shut  up  from  the  indignation  of 
his  subjects.  The  hapless  monarch  smote  his 
breast,  as  he  looked  down  from  his  mountain  pal- 
ace on  the  desolation  effected  by  his  late  ally. 
He  dared  not  even  show  himself  in  arms  among 
the  populace,  for  they  cursed  him  as  the  cause 
of  the  miseries  once  more  brought  to  their  doors. 

The  Moors,  however,  did  not  suffer  the  Chris- 
tians to  carry  on  their  ravages  unmolested  as  in 
former  years.  Muza  incited  them  to  incessant 
sallies.  He  divided  his  cavalry  into  small  squad- 
rons, each  led  by  a daring  commander.  They 
were  taught  to  hover  round  the  Christian  camp  ; 
to  harass  it  from  various  and  opposite  quarters, 
cutting  off  convoys  and  straggling  detachments  ; to 
waylay  the  army  in  its  ravaging  expeditions,  lurk- 
ing among  rocks  and  passes  of  the  mountains,  or 
in  hollows  and  thickets  of  the  plain,  and  prac- 
ticing a thousand  stratagems  and  surprises. 

The  Christian  army  had  one  day  spread  itself 
out  rather  unguardedly,  in  its  foraging  about  the 


528 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


vega.  As  the  troops  commanded  by  the  marques 
of  Villena  approached  the  skirts  of  the  mountains, 
they  beheld  a number  of  Moorish  peasants  has- 
tily driving  a herd  of  cattle  into  a narrow  glen. 
The  soldiers,  eager  for  booty,  pressed  in  pursuit 
of  them.  Scarcely  had  they  entered  the  glen, 
when  shouts  arose  from  every  side,  and  they  were 
furiously  attacked  by  an  ambuscade  of  horse  and 
foot.  Some  of  the  Christians  took  to  flight ; 
others  stood  their  ground,  and  fought  valiantly. 
The  Moors  had  the  vantage-ground ; some  show- 
ered darts  and  arrows  from  the  cliffs  of  the 
rocks,  others  fought  hand  to  hand  on  the  plain; 
while  their  cavalry  carried  havoc  and  confusion 
into  the  midst  of  the  Christian  forces. 

The  marques  de  Villena,  with  his  brother  Don 
Alonzo  de  Pacheco,  at  the  first  onset  of  the  Moors, 
spurred  into  the  hottest  of  the  fight.  They  had 
scarce  entered,  when  Don  Alonzo  was  struck  life- 
less from  his  horse,  before  the  eyes  of  his  brother. 
Estevan  Luzon,  a gallant  captain,  fell  fighting 
bravely  by  the  side  of  the  marques,  who  remained, 
with  his  chamberlain  Soler  and  a handful  of 
knights,  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  Several  cav- 
aliers from  other  parts  of  the  army  hastened  to 
their  assistance,  when  King  Ferdinand,  seeing  that 
the  Moors  had  the  vantage-ground,  and  that 
the  Christians  were  suffering  severely,  gave  a sig- 
nal for  retreat.  The  marques  obeyed  slowly  and 
reluctantly,  for  his  heart  was  full  of  grief  and  rage 
at  the  death  of  his  brother.  As  he  was  retiring, 
he  beheld  his  faithful  chamberlain  Soler  defend- 
ing himself  valiantly  against  six  Moors.  The 


MUZA'S  AMBUSCADES. 


529 


marques  turned,  and  rushed  to  his  rescue ; he  killed 
two  of  the  enemy  with  his  own  hand,  and  put 
the  rest  to  flight.  One  of  the  Moors,  however, 
in  retreating,  rose  in  his  stirrups,  and  hurling  his 
lance  at  the  marques,  wounded  him  in  the  right 
arm  and  crippled  him  for  life.^ 

Such  was  one  of  the  many  ambuscadoes  con- 
certed by  Muza ; nor  did  he  hesitate  at  times  to 
present  a bold  front  to  the  Christian  forces,  and 
defy  them  in  the  open  field.  Ferdinand  soon  per- 
ceived, however,  that  the  Moors  seldom  provoked 
a battle  without  having  the  advantage  of  the 
ground ; and  that  though  the  Christians  generally 
appeared  to  have  the  victory,  they  suffered  the 
greatest  loss ; for  retreating  was  a part  of  the 
Moorish  system,  by  which  they  would  draw  their 
pursuers  into  confusion,  and  then  turn  upon  them 
with  a more  violent  and  fatal  attack.  He  com- 
manded his  captains,  therefore,  to  decline  all  chal- 
lenges to  skirmish,  and  pursue  a secure  system  of 
destruction,  ravaging  the  country,  and  doing  all 
possible  injury  to  the  enemy,  with  slight  risk  to 
themselves. 

1 In  consequence  of  this  wound,  the  marques  was  ever  after 
obliged  to  write  his  signature  with  his  left  hand,  though  ca- 
pable of  managing  his  lance  with  his  right.  The  queen  one 
day  demanded  of  him,  why  he  had  adventured  his  life  for 
that  of  a domestic?  “ Does  not  your  majesty  think,”  replied 
he,  “ that  I ought  to  risk  one  life  for  him  who  would  have  ad- 
ventured three  for  me  had  he  possessed  them?  ” The  queen 
was  charmed  with  the  magnanimity  of  the  reply,  and  often 
quoted  the  marques  as  setting  an  heroic  example  to  the  chiv- 
alry of  the  age.  Mariana,  lib.  25,  cap.  15. 


CHAPTER  LXXXV. 


The  Fate  of  the  Castle  of  Eoma. 

I^^^^BOUT  two  leagues  from  Granada,  on 
an  eminence  commanding  an  extensive 
view  of  the  vega,  stood  the  strong  Moor- 
ish castle  of  Roma.  Hither  the  neighboring  peas- 
antry drove  their  flocks  and  herds,  and  hurried 
with  their  most  precious  effects,  on  the  irruption 
of  a Christian  force  ; and  any  foraging  or  skir- 
mishing party  from  Granada,  on  being  intercepted 
in  their  return,  threw  themselves  into  Roma, 
manned  its  embattled  towers,  and  set  the  enemy 
at  defiance.  The  garrison  were  accustomed  to 
have  parties  of  Moors  clattering  up  to  their  gates, 
so  hotly  pursued  that  there  was  barely  time 
to  throw  open  the  portal,  receive  them  within,  and 
shut  out  their  pursuers ; while  the  Christian  cav- 
aliers had  many  a time  reined  up  their  panting 
steeds,  at  the  very  entrance  of  the  barbacan,  and 
retired,  cursing  the  strong  walls  of  Roma,  that 
robbed  them  of  their  prey. 

The  late  ravages  of  Ferdinand,  and  the  contin- 
ual skirmishings  in  the  vega,  had  roused  the  vig- 
ilance of  the  castle.  One  morning  early,  as  the 
sentinels  kept  watch  upon  the  battlements,  they 
beheld  a cloud  of  dust  advancing  rapidly  from  a 


FATE  OF  ROMA. 


531 


distance : turbans  and  Moorish  weapons  soon 
caught  their  eyes  : and  as  the  whole  approached, 
they  descried  a drove  of  cattle,  urged  on  in  great 
haste,  and  convoyed  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Moors,  who  led  with  them  two  Christian  captives 
in  chains. 

When  the  cavalgada  arrived  near  the  castle,  a 
Moorish  cavalier,  of  noble  and  commanding  mien 
andf  splendid  attire,  rode  up  to  the  foot  of  the 
tower,  and  entreated  admittance.  He  stated  that 
they  were  returning  with  rich  booty  from  a foray 
into  the  lands  of  the  Christians,  but  that  the  en- 
emy was  on  their  traces,  and  they  feared  to  be 
overtaken  before  they  could  reach  Granada. 
The  sentinels  descended  in  all  haste,  and  flung 
open  the  gates.  The  long  cavalgada  defiled  into 
the  courts  of  the  castle,  which  were  soon  filled 
with  bleating  and  lowing  flocks  and  herds,  with 
neighing  and  stamping  steeds,  and  with  fierce- 
looking  Moors  from  the  mountains.  The  cava- 
lier who  had  asked  admission  was  the  chief  of 
the  party  ; he  was  somewhat  advanced  in  life,  of 
a lofty  and  gallant  bearing,  and  had  with  him  a 
son,  a young  man  of  great  spirit  and  fire.  Close 
by  them  followed  the  two  Christian  captives,  with 
looks  cast  down  and  disconsolate. 

The  soldiers  of  the  garrison  had  roused  them- 
selves from  their  sleep,  and  were  busily  occupied 
attending  to  the  cattle  which  crowded  the  courts ; 
while  the  foraging  party  distributed  themselves 
about  the  castle,  to  seek  refreshment  or  repose. 
Suddenly  a shout  arose,  that  was  echoed  from 
courtyard,  and  hall,  and  battlement.  The  garri- 


532 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


son,  astonished  and  bewildered,  would  have  rushed 
to  their  arms,  but  found  themselves,  almost  before 
they  could  make  resistance,  completely  in  the 
power  of  an  enemy. 

The  pretended  foraging  party  consisted  of  Mu- 
dexares,  or  Moors  tributary  to  the  Christians ; 
and  the  commanders  were  the  prince  Cid  Hiaya, 
and  his  son  Alnayer.  They  had  hastened  from 
the  mountains  with  this  small  force,  to  aid# the 
Catholic  sovereigns  during  the  summer’s  cam- 
paign ; and  had  concerted  to  surprise  this  impor- 
tant castle,  and  present  it  to  king  Ferdinand,  as 
a gage  of  their  faith,  and  the  first  fruits  of  their 
devotion. 

The  politic  monarch  overwhelmed  his  new  con- 
verts and  allies  with  favors  and  distinctions,  in 
return  for  this  important  acquisition  ; but  he  took 
care  to  dispatch  a strong  force  of  veteran  and 
genuine  Christian  troops,  to  man  the  fortress. 

As  to  the  Moors  who  had  composed  the  garri- 
son, Cid  Hiaya  remembered  that  they  were  his 
countrymen,  and  could  not  prevail  upon  himself 
to  deliver  them  into  Christian  bondage.  He  set 
them  at  liberty,  and  permitted  them  to  repair  to 
Granada  ; “ a proof  ” says  the  pious  Agapida, 
that  his  conversion  was  not  entirely  consum- 
mated, but  that  there  were  still  some  lingerings  of 
the  infidel  in  his  heart.”  His  lenity  was  far  from 
procuring  him  indulgence  in  the  opinions  of  his 
countrymen  ; on  the  contrary,  the  inhabitants  of 
Granada,  when  they  learnt  from  the  liberated 
garrison  the  stratagem  by  which  Roma  had  been 


EL  ZAGAL  JOINS  TEE  CHRISTIANS  533 


captured,  cursed  Cid  Hiaya  for  a traitor ; and 
the  garrison  joined  in  the  malediction.^ 

But  the  indignation  of  the  people  of  Granada 
was  destined  to  be  roused  to  tenfold  violence. 
The  old  warrior  Muley  Abdallah  el  Zagal  had 
retired  to  his  little  mountain  territory,  and  for  a 
short  time  endeavored  to  console  himself  with  his 
petty  title  of  king  of  Andarax.  He  soon  grew 
impatient,  however,  of  the  quiet  and  inaction  of 
his  mimic  kingdom.  His  fierce  spirit  was  exas- 
perated by  being  shut  up  within  such  narrow 
limits,  and  his  hatred  rose  to  downright  fury 
against  Boabdil,  whom  he  considered  as  the  cause 
of  his  downfall.  When  tidings  were  brought  him 
that  king  Ferdinand  was  laying  waste  the  vega, 
he  took  a sudden  resolution.  Assembling  the 
whole  disposable  force  of  his  kingdom,  which 
amounted  but  to  two  hundred  men,  he  descended 
from  the  Alpuxarras  and  sought  the  Christian 
camp,  content  to  serve  as  a vassal  the  enemy  of 
his  faith  and  his  nation,  so  that  he  might  see  Gra- 
nada wrested  from  the  sway  of  his  nephew. 

In  his  blind  passion,  the  old  wrathful  monarch 
injured  his  cause,  and  strengthened  the  cause  of 
his  adversary.  The  Moors  of  Granada  had  been 
clamorous  in  his  praise,  extolling  him  as  a victim 
to  his  patriotism,  and  had  refused  to  believe  all 
reports  of  his  treaty  with  the  Christians  ; but 
when  they  beheld,  from  the  walls  of  the  city,  his 
banner  mingling  with  the  banners  of  the  unbe- 
lievers, and  arrayed  against  his  late  people,  and 

1 Pulgar,  Cron.  pt.  3,  cap.  130.  Cura  de  los  Palacios^ 
cap  90. 


534 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  capital  he  had  commanded,  they  broke  forth 
into  revilings,  and  heaped  curses  upon  his  name. 

Their  next  emotion,  of  course,  was  in  favor  of 
Boabdil.  They  gathered  under  the  walls  of  the 
Alhambra,  and  hailed  him  as  their  only  hope,  as 
the  sole  dependence  of  the  country.  Boabdil 
could  scarcely  believe  his  senses,  when  he  heard 
his  name  mingled  with  praises  and  greeted  with 
acclamations.  Encouraged  by  this  unexpected 
gleam  of  popularity,  he  ventured  forth  from  his 
retreat,  and  was  received  with  rapture.  All  his 
past  errors  were  attributed  to  the  hardships  of 
his  fortune,  and  the  usurpation  of  his  tyrant 
uncle ; and  whatever  breath  the  populace  could 
spare  from  uttering  curses  on  El  Zagal,  was  ex- 
pended in  shouts  in  honor  of  El  Chico. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVI. 

How  Boabdil  el  Chico  took  the  Field;  and  his  Expedition 
against  Alhendin. 

IjOR  thirty  days  had  the  vega  been  over- 
run by  the  Christian  forces ; and  that 
vast  plain,  late  so  luxuriant  and  beauti- 
ful, was  one  wide  scene  of  desolation.  The  de- 
stroying army,  having  accomplished  its  task,  passed 
over  the  bridge  of  Pinos  and  wound  up  into  the 
mountains,  on  the  way  to  Cordova,  bearing  away 
the  spoils  of  towns  and  villages,  and  driving  off 
flocks  and  herds  in  long  dusty  columns.  The 
sound  of  the  last  Christian  trumpet  died  away 
along  the  side  of  the  mountain  of  Elvira,  and  not 
a hostile  squadron  was  seen  glistening  on  the 
mournful  fields  of  the  vega. 

The  eyes  of  Boabdil  el  Chico  were  at  length 
opened  to  the  real  policy  of  king  Ferdinand,  and 
he  saw  that  he  had  no  longer  anything  to  de- 
pend upon  but  the  valor  of  his  arm.  No  time 
was  to  be  lost  in  hastening  to  counteract  the  effect 
of  the  late  Christian  ravage,  and  in  opening  the 
channel  for  distant  supplies  to  Granada.  * 
Scarcely  had  the  retiring  squadrons  of  Ferdi- 
nand disappeared  among  the  mountains,  when 
Boabdil  buckled  on  his  armor,  sallied  forth  from 


536 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


the  Alhambra,  and  prepared  to  take  the  field. 
When  the  populace  beheld  him  actually  in  arms 
against  his  late  ally,  both  parties  thronged  with 
zeal  to  his  standard.  The  hardy  inhabitants  also 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  or  chain  of  snow-capped 
mountains  which  rise  above  Granada,  descended 
from  their  heights,  and  hastened  into  the  city 
gates,  to  proffer  their  devotion  to  their  youthful 
king.  The  great  square  of  the  Yivarrambla  shone 
with  legions  of  cavalry,  decked  with  the  colors 
and  devices  of  the  most  ancient  Moorish  families, 
and  marshaled  forth  by  the  patriot  Muza  to  fol- 
low the  king  to  battle. 

It  was  on  the  15th  of  June,  that  Boabdil  once 
more  issued  forth  from  the  gates  of  Granada  on 
martial  enterprise.  A few  leagues  from  the  city, 
within  full  view  of  it,  and  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Alpuxarra  mountains,  stood  the  powerful  castle 
of  Alhendin.  It  was  built  on  an  eminence,  ris- 
ing from  the  midst  of  a small  town,  and  com- 
manding a great  part  of  the  vega  and  the  main 
road  to  the  rich  valleys  of  the  Alpuxarras.  The 
castle  was  commanded  by  a valiant  Christian  cav- 
alier named  Mendo  de  Quexada,  and  garrisoned 
by  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  all  seasoned  and 
experienced  warriors.  It  was  a continual  thorn 
in  the  side  of  Granada : the  laborers  of  the  vega 
were  swept  off  from  their  fields,  by  its  hardy  sol- 
diers ; convoys  were  cut  off  in  the  passes  of  the 
mountains ; and  as  the  garrison  commanded  a full 
view  of  the  gates  of  the  city,  no  band  of  mer- 
ch'ants  could  venture  forth  on  their  needful  jour- 
neys, without  being  swooped  up  by  the  war-hawks 
of  Alhendin. 


BOABDIL  ATTACKS  ALEENDINJ  537 


It  was  against  this  important  fortress  that 
Boabdil  first  led  his  troops,  and  for  six  days  and 
nights  it  was  closely  besieged.  The  alcayde  and 
his  veteran  garrison  defended  themselves  valiantly, 
but  were  exhausted  by  fatigue  and  constant  watch- 
fulness ; for  the  Moors,  being  continually  relieved 
by  fresh  troops  from  Granada,  kept  up  an  uii- 
remitted  and  vigorous  attack.  Twice  the  barba- 
can  was  forced,  and  twice  the  assailants  were 
driven  forth  headlong  with  excessive  loss.  The 
garrison,  however,  was  diminished  in  number  by 
the  killed  and  wounded ; there  were  no  longer 
soldiers  sufficient  to  man  the  walls  and  gateway ; 
and  the  brave  alcayde  was  compelled  to  retire, 
with  his  surviving  force,  to  the  keep  of  the  castle, 
in  which  he  continued  to  make  a desperate  resis- 
tance. 

The  Moors  now  approached  the  foot  of  the 
tower,  under  shelter  of  wooden  screens  covered 
with  wet  hides,  to  ward  off  missiles  and  combus- 
tibles. They  went  to  work  vigorously  to  under- 
mine the  tower,  placing  props  of  wood  under  the 
foundations,  to  be  afterwards  set  on  fire,  so  as  to 
give  the  besiegers  time  to  escape  before  the  edi- 
fice should  fall.  Some  of  the  Moors  plied  their 
cross-bows  and  arquebuses  to  defend  the  work- 
men, and  drive  the  Christians  from  the  walls  ; 
while  the  latter  showered  down  stones,  and  darts, 
and  melted  pitch,  and  flaming  combustibles,  on 
the  miners. 

The  brave  Mendo^de  Quexada  had  cast  many 
an  anxious  eye  across  the  vega,  in  hopes  of  see- 
mg  some  Christian  force  hastening  to  his  assis- 


538 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


tance.  Not  a gleam  of  spear  or  helm  was  to  he 
descried,  for  no  one  had  dreamt  of  this  sudden  ir- 
ruption of  the  Moors.  The  alcayde  beheld  his 
bravest  men  dead  or  wounded  around  him,  while 
the  remainder  were  sinking  with  watchfulness 
and  fatigue.  In  defiance  of  all  opposition,  the 
Moors  had  accomplished  their  mine  ; the  fire  was 
brought  before  the  walls,  that  was  to  be  applied 
to  the  stanchions,  in  case  the  garrison  persisted 
in  defense.  In  a little  while,  the  tower  would 
crumble  beneath  him,  and  be  rent  and  hurled  a 
ruin  to  the  plain.  At  the  very  last  moment,  the 
brave  alcayde  made  the  signal  of  surrender.  He 
marched  forth  with  the  remnant  of  his  veteran 
garrison,  who  were  all  made  prisoners.  Boabdil 
immediately  ordered  the  walls  of  the  fortress  to 
be  razed,  and  fire  to  be  applied  to  the  stanchions, 
that  the  place  might  never  again  become  a strong- 
hold to  the  Christians,  and  a scourge  to  Granada. 
The  alcayde  and  his  fellow-captives  were  led  in 
dejected  convoy  across  the  vega,  when  they  heard 
a tremendous  crash  behind  them.  They  turned 
to  look  upon  their  late  fortress,  but  beheld  nothing 
but  a heap  of  tumbling  ruins,  and  a vast  column 
of  smoke  and  dust,  where  once  had  stood  the 
lofty  tower  of  Alhendin. 


CHAPTER  LXXXVIL 

Exploit  of  the  Count  de  Tendilla. 

OABDIL  EL  CHICO  followed  up  his 
success,  by  capturing  the  two  fortresses 
of  Marchena  and  Albolodny,  belonging 
to  Cid  Hiaya ; he  also  sent  his  alfaquis  in  every 
direction,  to  proclaim  a holy  war,  and  to  summon 
all  true  Moslems  of  town  or  castle,  mountain  or 
valley,  to  saddle  steed  and  buckle  on  armor,  and 
hasten  to  the  standard  of  the  faith.  The  tidings 
spread  far  and  wide,  that  Boabdil  el  Chico  was 
once  more  in  the  field,  and  was  victorous.  The 
Moors  of  various  places,  dazzled  by  this  gleam 
of  success,  hastened  to  throw  ofP  their  sworn  al- 
legiance to  the  Castilian  crown,  and  to  elevate 
the  standard  of  Boabdil;  and  the  youthful  mon- 
arch fiattered  himself  that  the  whole  kingdom 
was  on  the  point  of  returning  to  its  allegiance. 

The  fiery  cavaliers  of  Granada,  eager  to  renew 
those  forays  into  the  Christian  lands,  in  which 
they  had  formerly  delighted,  concerted  an  irrup- 
tion to  the  north,  into  the  territory  of  Jaen,  to 
harass  the  country  about  Quezada.  They  had 
heard  of  a rich  convoy  of  merchants  and  wealthy 
travellers,  on  the  way  to  the  city  of  Baza ; and 
anticipated  a glorious  conclusion  to  their  foray 
in  capturing  this  convoy. 


540 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Assembling  a number  of  horsemen,  lightly 
armed  and  fleetly  mounted,  and  one  hundred 
foot-soldiers,  they  issued  forth  by  night  from 
Granada,  made  their  way  in  silence  through  the 
defiles  of  the  mountains,  crossed  the  frontier 
without  opposition,  and  suddenly  appeared,  as  if 
fallen  from  the  clouds,  in  the  very  heart  of  the 
Christian  country. 

The  mountainous  frontier  which  separates  Gra- 
nada from  Jaen,  was  at  this  time  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  count  de  Tendilla,  the  same  veteran 
who  had  distinguished  himself  by  his  vigilance 
and  sagacity  when  commanding  the  fortress  of  Al- 
hama.  He  held  his  head -quarters  at  the  city  of 
Alcala  la  Real,  in  its  impregnable  fortress,  perched 
high  among  the  mountains,  about  six  leagues  from 
Granada,  and  dominating  all  the  frontier.  From 
this  cloud-capt  hold  he  kept  an  eagle  eye  upon 
Granada,  and  had  his  scouts  and  spies  in  all  di- 
rections, so  that  a crow  could  not  fly  over  the 
border  without  his  knowledge.  His  fortress  was 
a place  of  refuge  for  the  Christian  captives  who 
escaped  by  night  from  the  Moorish  dungeons  of 
Granada.  Often,  however,  they  missed  their  way 
in  the  defiles  of  the  mountains,  and,  wandering 
about  bewildered,  either  repaired  by  mistake  to 
some  Moorish  town,  or  were  discovered  and  re- 
taken at  daylight  by  the  enemy.  To  prevent 
these  accidents  the  count  had  a tower  built  at  his 
own  expense,  on  the  top  of  one  of  the  heights  near 
Alcala,  which  commanded  a view  of  the  vega  and 
surrounding  country.  Here  he  kept  a light  blaz- 
ing throughout  the  night,  as  a beacon  for  all  Chris- 
tian fugitives,  to  guide  them  to  a place  of  safety. 


TENDILL^VS  EXPLOIT. 


541 


The  count  was  aroused  one  night  from  his  re- 
pose, by  shouts  and  cries  which  came  up  from 
the  town  and  approached  the  castle  walls.  “ To 
arms ! to  arms  ! the  Moor  is  over  the  border  ! ” 
was  the  cry.  A Christian  soldier,  pale  and  ema- 
ciated, who  still  bore  traces  of  Moorish  chains, 
was  brought  before  the  count.  He  had  been 
taken  as  guide  by  the  Moorish  cavaliers  who  had 
sallied  from  Granada,  but  had  escaped  from  them 
among  the  mountains,  and,  after  much  wander- 
ing, had  found  his  way  to  Alcala  by  the  signal- 
fire. 

Notwithstanding  the  bustle  and  agitation  of  the 
moment,  the  count  de  Tendilla  listened  calmly  and 
attentively,  to  the  account  of  the  fugitive,  and 
questioned  him  minutely  as  to  the  time  of  depar- 
ture of  the  Moors,  and  the  rapidity  and  direction 
of  their  march.  He  saw  that  it  was  too  late  to 
prevent  their  incursion  and  ravage  ; but  he  deter- 
mined to  await  them,  and  give  them  a warm  re- 
ception on  their  return.  His  soldiers  were  always 
on  the  alert,  and  ready  to  take  the  field  at  a mo- 
ment’s warning.  Choosing  one  hundred  and  fifty 
lances,  hardy  and  valiant  men,  well  disciplined  and 
well  seasoned,  as  indeed  were  all  his  troops,  he 
issued  forth  quietly  before  break  of  day,  and,  de- 
scending the  defiles  of  the  mountains,  stationed 
his  little  force  in  ambush,  in  a deep  barranca,  or 
dry  channel  of  a torrent,  near  Barzina,  but  three 
leagues  from  Granada,  on  the  road  by  which  the 
marauders  would  have  to  return.  In  the  mean 
time,  he  sent  out  scouts,  to  post  themselves  upon 
different  heights,  and  look  out  for  the  approach 
of  the  enemy. 


642 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


All  day  they  remained  concealed  in  the  ravine, 
and  for  a great  part  of  the  following  night ; not 
a Moor,  however,  was  to  be  seen,  excepting  now 
and  then  a peasant  returning  from  his  labor,  or 
a solitary  muleteer  hastening  towards  Granada. 
The  cavaliers  of  the  count  began  to  grow  restless 
and  impatient ; fearing  that  the  enemy  might 
have  taken  some  other  route,  or  might  have  re- 
ceived intelligence  of  their  ambuscade.  They 
urged  the  count  to  abandon  the  enterprise,  and 
return  to  Alcala.  “ We  are  here,’’  said  they,  “ al- 
most at  the  gates  of  the  Moorish  capital,  our 
movements  may  have  been  descried,  and,  before 
we  are  aware,  Granada  may  pour  forth  its  legions 
of  swift  cavalry,  and  crush  us  with  an  overwhelm- 
ing force.”  The  count,  however,  persisted  in  re- 
maining until  his  scouts  should  come  in.  About 
two  hours  before  daybreak,  there  were  signal-fires 
on  certain  Moorish  watch-towers  of  the  mountains. 
While  they  were  regarding  these  with  anxiety,  the 
scouts  came  hurrying  into  the  ravine : “ The  Moors 
are  approaching,”  said  they ; “ we  have  reconn oi- 
tered  them  near  at  hand.  They  are  between  one 
and  two  hundred  strong,  but  encumbered  with 
many  prisoners  and  much  booty.”  The  Christian 
cavaliers  laid  their  ears  to  the  ground,  and  heard 
the  distant  tramp  of  horses  and  the  tread  of  foot- 
soldiers.  They  mounted  their  horses,  braced  their 
shields,  couched  their  lances,  and  drew  near  to 
the  entrance  of  the  ravine  where  it  opened  upon 
the  road. 

The  Moors  had  succeeded  in  waylaying  and 
surprising  the  Christian  convoy,  on  its  way  to 


TENDILLA^S  EXPLOIT. 


543 


Baza.  They  had  captured  a great  number  of 
prisoners,  male  and  female,  with  great  store  of 
gold  and  jewels,  and  sumpttr  mules  laden  with 
rich  merchandise.  With  these  they  had  made  a 
forced  march  over  the  dangerous  parts  of  the 
mountains  ; but  now,  finding  themselves  so  near 
to  Granada,  fancied  themselves  in  perfect  security. 
They  loitered  along  the  road,  therefore,  irregu- 
larly and  slowly,  some  singing,  others  laughing 
and  exulting  at  having  eluded  the  boasted  vigi- 
lance of  the  count  de  Tendilla  ; while  ever  and 
anon  was  heard  the  plaint  of  some  female  captive 
bewailing  the  jeopardy  of  her  honor,  or  the  heavy 
sighing  of  the  merchant  at  beholding  his  property 
in  the  grasp  of  ruthless  spoilers. 

The  count  waited  until  some  of  the  escort  had 
passed  the  ravine,  then,  giving  the  signal  for  as- 
sault, his  cavaliers  set  up  great  shouts  and  cries, 
and  charged  into  the  centre  of  the  foe.  The  ob- 
scurity of  the  place  and  the  hour  added  to  the 
terrors  of  the  surprise.  The  Moors  were  thrown 
into  confusion ; some  rallied,  fought  desperately, 
and  fell  covered  with  wounds.  Thirty-six  were 
killed,  and  fifty -five  were  made  prisoners ; the  rest, 
under  cover  of  the  darkness,  made  their  escape 
to  the  rocks  and  defiles  of  the  mountains. 

The  good  count  unbound  the  prisoners,  glad- 
dening the  hearts  of  the  merchants  by  restor- 
ing to  them  their  merchandise.  To  the  female 
captives  also  he  restored  the  jewels  of  which 
they  had  been  despoiled,  excepting  such  as  had 
been  lost  beyond  recovery.  Forty-five  saddle 
horses,  of  the  choice  Barbary  breed,  renji^ined  as 


544 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


captured  spoils  of  the  Moors,  together  with  costly 
armor,  and  booty  of  various  kinds.  Having  col- 
lected everything  in  haste,  and  arranged  his  cav- 
algada,  the  count  urged  his  way  with  all  speed 
for  Alcala  la  Real,  lest  he  should  be  pursued  and 
overtaken  by  the  Moors  of  Granada.  As  he 
wound  up  the  steep  ascent  to  his  mountain  city, 
the  inhabitants  poured  forth  to  meet  him  with 
shouts  of  joy.  His  triumph  was  doubly  enhanced 
by  being  received  at  the  gates  of  the  city  by  his 
wife,  the  daughter  of  the  marques  of  Villena,  a 
lady  of  distinguished  merit,  whom  he  had  not 
seen  for  two  years,  during  which  he  had  been  sep- 
arated from  his  home  by  the  arduous  duties  of 
these  iron  wars. 

We  have  yet  another  act  to  relate  of  this  good 
count  de  Tendilla,  who  was  in  truth  a mirror  of 
knightly  virtue.  One  day,  a Christian  soldier, 
just  escaped  from  captivity  in  Granada,  brought 
word  to  the  count,  that  an  illustrious  damsel 
named  Fatima,  niece  of  the  alcayde  Aben  Com- 
ixa,  was  to  leave  the  city  on  a certain  day,  es- 
corted by  a numerous  party  of  relatives  and 
friends  of  distinguished  rank,  on  a journey  to 
Almunecar,  there  to  embark  for  the  African  coast, 
to  celebrate  her  nuptials  with  the  alcayde  of 
Tetuan.  This  was  too  brilliant  a prize  to  be  neg- 
lected. The  count  accordingly  sallied  forth  with 
a light  company  of  cavalry,  and  descending  the 
defiles  of  the  mountains,  stationed  himself  behind 
the  rocky  sierra  of  Elvira,  not  far  from  the  event- 
ful bridge  of  Pinos,  within  a few  short  miles  of 
Granada^  Hence  he  detached  Alonzo  de  Car- 


GALLANT  ACT  OF  TENDILLA.  545 


denas  Ulloa,  with  fifty  light  horsemen,  to  post  him- 
self in  ambush,  by  the  road  the  bridal  party  had 
to  travel.  After  a time,  the  latter  came  in  sight, 
proving  less  numerous  than  had  been  expected  ; 
for  the  damsel  was  escorted  merely  by  four  armed 
domestics,  and  accompanied  by  a few  relatives 
and  two  female  attendants.  The  whole  party 
was  surrounded  and  captured  almost  without  re- 
sistance, and  carried  off  to  the  count  at  the  bridge 
of  Pinos.  The  good  count  conveyed  his  beauti- 
ful captive  to  his  stronghold  at  Alcala,  where  he 
treated  her  and  her  companions  with  all  the  deli- 
cacy and  respect  due  to  their  rank  and  to  his  own 
character  as  a courteous  cavalier. 

The  tidings  of  the  capture  of  his  niece  gave 
poignant  affliction  to  the  vizier  Aben  Comixa. 
His  royal  master  Boabdil,  of  whom  he  was  the 
prime  favorite  and  confidential  adviser,  sympa- 
thized in  his  distress.  With  his  own  hand  he 
wrote  a letter  to  the  count,  offering  in  exchange 
for  the  fair  Fatima  one  hundred  Christian  cap- 
tives, to  be  chosen  from  those  detained  in  Gra- 
nada. This  royal  letter  was  sent  by  Don  Fran- 
cisco de  Zuniga,  an  Aragonese  cavalier,  whom 
Aben  Cornixa  held  in  captivity,  and  who  was  set 
at  liberty  for  the  purpose. 

On  receiving  the  letter  of  Boabdil,  the  count 
de  Tendilla  at  once  gave  freedom  to  the  Moorish 
maid,  making  her  a magnificent  present  of  jewels, 
and  sending  her  and  her  companions  under  hon- 
orable escort  to  the  very  gates  of  Granada. 

Boabdil,  exceeding  his  promises,  immediately 
set  free  twenty  captive  priests,  one  hundred  and 
35  ^ 


546 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


thirty  Castilian  and  Aragonian  cavaliers,  and  a 
number  of  peasant  women.  His  favorite  and 
vizier,  Aben  Comixa,  was  so  rejoiced  at  the  liber- 
ation of  his  niece,  and  so  struck  with  the  chival- 
rous conduct  of  her  captor,  that  he  maintained 
from  that  day  a constant  and  amicable  corre- 
spondence with  the  count  de  Tendilla ; and  be- 
came, in  the  hands  of  the  latter,  one  of  the  most 
efficacious  agents  in  bringing  the  war  of  Granada 
to  a triumphant  close.^ 

1 This  interesting  anecdote  of  the  count  de  Tendilla,  which 
is  a key  to  the  subsequent  conduct  of  the  vizier  Aben  Com- 
ixa, and  had  a singular  influence  on  the  fortunes  of  Boabdil 
and  his  kingdom,  is  originally  given  in  a manuscript  history 
of  the  counts  of  Tendilla,  written  about  the  middle  of  the  six- 
teenth century,  by  Gabriel  Rodriguez  de  Ardila,  a Granadine 
clergyman.  It  has  been  brought  to  light  recently  by  the  re- 
searches* of  Alcantara  for  his  History  of  Granada  (vol.  4,  cap# 
18). 


CHAPTEE  LXXXVIII. 

Expedition  of  Boabdil  el  Chico  against  Salobrena.  — Ex- 
ploit of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar. 

ETNG  boabdil  found  that  his  dimin- 
ished territory  was  too  closely  dominated 
by  Christian  fortresses  like  Alcala  la 
Eeal,  and  too  strictly  watched  by  vigilant  alcaydes 
like  the  count  of  Tendilla,  to  be  able  to  maintain  it- 
self by  internal  resources.  His  foraging  expedi- 
tions were  liable  to  be  intercepted  and  defeated, 
while  the  ravage  of  the  vega  had  swept  off  every- 
thing on  which  the  city  depended  for  future  sus- 
tenance. He  felt  the  want  of  a seaport,  through 
which,  as  formerly,  he  might  keep  open  a com- 
munication with  Africa  and  obtain  reinforcements 
and  supplies  from  beyond  the  sea.  All  the  ports 
and  harbors  were  in  the  hands  of  the  Christians, 
and  Granada  and  its  remnant  of  dependent  terri- 
tory were  completely  landlocked. 

In  this  emergency,  the  attention  of  Boabdil  was 
called  by  circumstances  to  the  seaport  of  Salo- 
breha.  This  redoubtable  town  has  already  been 
mentioned  in  this  chronicle,  as  a place  deemed 
impregnable  by  the  Moors ; insomuch,  that  their 
kings  were  accustomed,  in  time  of  peril,  to  keep 
their  treasures  in  its  citadel.  It  was  situated  on 


548 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


a high  rocky  hill,  dividing  one  of  those  rich  little 
vegas  or  plains  which  lie  open  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean, but  run  like  deep  green  bays  into  the 
stern  bosoms  of  the  mountains.  The  veaa  was 

o 

covered  with  beautiful  vegetation,  with  rice  and 
cotton,  with  groves  of  oranges,  citrons,  figs,  and 
mulberries,  and  with  gardens  inclosed  by  hedges 
of  reeds,  of  aloes  and  the  Indian  fig.  Running 
streams  of  cool  water  from  the  springs  and  snows 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  kept  this  delightful  valley 
continually  fresh  and  verdant ; while  it  was  al- 
most locked  up  by  mountain  barriers,  and  lofty 
promontories  stretching  far  into  the  sea. 

Through  the  centre  of  this  rich  vega,  the  rock 
of  Salobrena  reared  its  rugged  back,  nearly  divid- 
ing the  plain,  and  advancing  to  the  margin  of  the 
sea,  with  just  a strip  of  sandy  beach  at  its  foot, 
laved  by  the  blue  waves  of  the  Mediterranean. 

The  town  covered  the  ridge  and  sides  of  the 
rocky  hill,  and  was  fortified  by  strong  walls  and 
towers  ; while  on  the  highest  and  most  precipitate 
part  stood  the  citadel,  a huge  castle  that  seemed 
to  form  a part  of  the  living  rock;  the  massive 
ruins  of  which,  at  the  present  day,  attract  the 
gaze  of  the  traveller,  as  he  winds  his  way  far  be- 
low, along  the  road  through  the  vega. 

This  important  fortress  had  been  intrusted  to 
the  command  of  Don  Francisco  Ramirez  de 
Madrid,  captain-general  of  the  artillery,  and  the 
most  scientific  of  all  the  Spanish  leaders.  That 
experienced  veteran,  however,  was  with  the  king 
at  Cordova,  having  left  a valiant  cavalier  as  al- 
cayde  of  the  place. 


SUIiPEISE  OF  SALOBEENA. 


549 


Boabdil  had  full  information  of  the  state  of  the 
garrison  and  the  absence  of  its  commander.  Put- 
ting himself  at  the  head  of  a powerful  force, 
therefore,  he  departed  from  Granada,  and  made  a 
rapid  march  through  the  mountains ; hoping  to 
sieze  upon  Salobreha  before  king  F erdinand  could 
come  to  its  assistance. 

The  inhabitants  of  Salobrena  were  Mudex- 
ares,  or  Moors  who  had  sworn  allegiance  to  the 
Cbristians.  Still,  when  they  heard  the  sound  of 
the  Moorish  drums  and  trumpets,  and  beheld 
the  squadrons  of  their  countrymen  advancing 
across  the  vega,  their  hearts  yearned  towards  the 
standard  of  their  nation  and  their  faith.  A 
tumult  arose  in  the  place ; the  populace  shouted 
the  name  of  Boabdil  el  Chico,  and,  throwing  open 
the  gates,  admitted  him  within  the  walls. 

The  Christian  garrison  was  too  few  in  number 
to  contend  for  the  possession  of  the  town : they 
retreated  to  the  citadel,  and  shut  themselves 
within  its  massive  walls,  which  were  considered 
impregnable.  Here  they  maintained  a desperate 
defense,  hoping  to  hold  out  until  succor  should 
arrive  from  the  neighboring  fortresses. 

The  tidings  that  Salobrena  was  invested  by  the 
Moorish  king,  spread  along  the  sea-coast,  and 
filled  the  Christians  with  alarm.  Don  Francisco 
Enriquez,  uncle  of  the  king,  commanded  the  city 
of  Velez  Malaga,  about  twelve  leagues  distant, 
but  separated  by  ranges  of  those  vast  rocky 
mountains  which  are  piled  along  the  Mediter- 
ranean, and  tower  in  steep  promontories  and  preci- 
pices above  its  waves. 


550 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


Don  Francisco  summoned  the  alcaydes  of  his 
district  to  hasten  with  him  to  the  relief  of  this 
important  fortress.  A number  of  cavaliers  and 
their  retainers  answered  to  his  call,  among  whom 
was  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar,  surnamed  “ El  de 
las  Hazanas  ” (he  of  the  exploits)  — the  same 
who  had  signalized  himself  in  a foray,  by  eleva- 
ting a handkerchief  on  a lance  for  a banner,  and 
leading  on  his  disheartened  comrades  to  victory. 
As  soon  as  Don  Francisco  beheld  a little  band 
collected  round  him,  he  set  out  with  all  speed  for 
Salobrena.  The  march  was  rugged  and  severe, 
climbing  and  descending  immense  mountains,  and 
sometimes  winding  along  the  edge  of  giddy  pre- 
cipices, with  the  surges  of  the  sea  raging  far  below. 
When  Don  F rancisco  arrived  with  his  followers  at 
the  lofty  promontory  that  stretches  along  one  side 
of  the  little  vega  of  Salobrena,  he  looked  down 
with  sorrow  and  anxiety  upon  a Moorish  army  of 
great  force,  encamped  at  the  foot  of  the  fortress, 
while  Moorish  banners,  on  various  parts  of  the 
walls,  proved  that  the  town  was  already  in  posses- 
sion of  the  infidels.  A solitary  Christian  stan- 
dard alone  floated  on  the  top  of  the  castle-keep, 
showing  that  the  brave  garrison  were  hemmed  up 
in  their  rock-built  citadel.  They  were  in  fact  re- 
duced to  great  extremity,  through  want  of  water 
and  provisions. 

Don  Francisco  found  it  impossible,  with  his 
small  force,  to  make  any  impression  on  the  camp' 
of  the  Moors,  or  to  get  to  the  relief  of  the  castle. 
He  stationed  his  little  band  upon  a rocky  height 
near  the  sea,  where  they  were  safe  from  the  as- 


EXPLOIT  OF  HERNAN  DEL  PULGAR.  551 


Baults  of  the  enemy.  The  sight  of  his  friendly 
banner  waving  in  their  neighborhood  cheered  the 
heart  of  the  garrison,  and  gave  them  assurance  of 
speedy  succor  from  the  king ; while  the  hostile 
menaces  of  Don  Francisco,  served  to  check  the 
attacks  of  the  Moors  upon  the  citadel. 

In  the  mean  time,  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar, 
who  always  burned  to  distinguish  himself  by  bold 
and  striking  exploits,  had  discovered  in  the  course 
of  his  prowlings,  a postern  gate  of  the  castle  open- 
ing upon  the  steep  part  of  the  rocky  hill  looking 
towards  the  mountains.  The  thought  occurred 
to  him,  that  by  a bold  dash  at  a favorable  moment, 
this  postern  might  be  attained,  and  succor  thrown 
into  the  castle.  He  pointed  the  place  out  to  his 
comrades.  “ Who  will  follow  my  banner,”  said 
he,  “ and  make  a dash  for  yonder  postern  ? ” A 
bold  proposition  in  time  of  warfare  never  wants 
for  bold  spirits  to  accept  it.  Seventy  resolute 
men  stepped  forward  to  second  him.  Pulgar  chose 
the  early  daybreak  for  his  enterprise,  when  the 
Moors,  just  aroused  from  sleep,  were  changing 
guard,  and  making  the  various  arrangements  of 
the  morning.  Favored  by  these  movements,  and 
the  drowsiness  of  the  hour,  Pulgar  approached 
the  Moorish  line  silently  and  steadily,  most  of  his 
followers  armed  with  cross-bows  and  espingardas, 
or  muskets.  Then  suddenly  making  an  onset, 
they  broke  through  a weak  part  of  the  camp,  be- 
fore the  alarm  had  spread  through  the  army,  and 
succeeded  in  fighting  their  way  up  to  the  gate, 
which  was  eagerly  thrown  open  to  receive  them. 

The  garrison,  roused  to  new  spirit  by  this  un- 


552 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


looked-for  reinforcement,  was  enabled  to  make  a 
more  vigorous  resistance.  The  Moors,  however, 
who  knew  there  was  a great  scarcity  of  water  in 
the  castle,  exulted  in  the  idea  that  this  additional 
number  of  warriors  would  soon  exhaust  the  cis- 
terns, and  compel  a surrender.  Pulgar,  hearing 
of  this  hope,  caused  a bucket  of  water  to  be  low- 
ered from  the  battlements,  and  threw  a silver  cup 
in  bravado  to  the  Moors. 

The  garrison,  in  truth,  suffered  intensely  from 
thirst,  while,  to  tantalize  them  in  their  sufferings, 
they  beheld  limpid  streams  winding  in  abundance 
through  the  green  plain  below  them.  They  be- 
gan to  fear  that  all  succor  would  arrive  too  late, 
when  one  day  they  beheld  a little  squadron  of 
vessels  far  at  sea,  but  standing  towards  the  shore. 
There  was  some  doubt  at  first  whether  it  might 
not  be  a hostile  armament  from  Africa  ; but  as 
it  approached  they  descried,  to  their  great  joy, 
the  banner  of  Castile. 

It  was  a reinforcement,  brought  in  all  haste  by 
the  governor  of  the  fortress,  Don  Francisco  Fam- 
irez.  The  squadron  anchored  at  a steep  rocky 
island,  which  rises  from  the  very  margin  of  the 
smooth  sandy  beach,  directly  in  front  of  the  rock 
of  Salobreha,  and  stretches  out  into  the  sea.  On 
this  island  Ramirez  landed  his  men,  and  was  as 
strongly  posted  as  if  in  a fortress.  His  force  was 
too  scanty  to  attempt  a battle,  but  he  assisted  to 
harass  and  distract  the  besiegers.  Whenever  king 
Boabdil  made  an  attack  upon  the  fortress,  his 
£amp  was  assailed  on  one  side  by  the  troops  of 
Ramirez,  who  landed  from  their  island,  and  on 


RETREAT  OF  BOABDIL. 


553 


another  by  those  of  Francisco  Enriquez,  who 
swept  down  from  their  rock ; while  Hernan  del 
Pulgar  kept  up  a brave  defense,  from  every  tower 
and  battlement  of  the  castle. 

The  attention  of  the  Moorish  king  was  diverted, 
also,  for  a time,  by  an  ineffectual  attempt  to  re- 
lieve the  little  port  of  Adra,  which  had  recently 
declared  in  his  favor,  but  which  had  been  recap- 
tured for  the  Christians  by  Cid  Hiaya  and  his  son 
Alnayar.  Thus  the  unlucky  Boabdil,  bewildered 
on  every  hand,  lost  all  the  advantage  that  he  had 
gained  by  his  rapid  march  from  Granada.  While 
he  was  yet  besieging  the  obstinate  citadel,  tidings 
were  brouMit  him  that  Kh/^  Ferdinand  was  in  full 
march,  with  a powerfwii  host,  to  its  assistance. 
There  was  no  time  for  further  delay : he  made  a 
furious  attack  with  all  his  forces  upon  the  castle, 
but  was  again  repulsed  by  Pulgar  and  his  coadju- 
tors ; when,  abandoning  the  siege,  in  despair,  he 
retreated  with  Ids  army,  lest  King  Ferdinand 
should  get  between  him  and  his  capital.  On  his 
way  back  to  Granada,  however,  he  in  some  sort 
consoled  himself  for  his  late  disappointment,  by 
overrunning  a part  of  the  territories  and  posses- 
sions lately  assigned  to  his  uncle  El  Zagal,  and  to 
Cid  Hiaya.  He  defeated  their  alcaydes,  destroyed 
several  of  their  fortresses,  burnt  their  villages,  and, 
leaving  the  country  behind  him  reeking  and  smok- 
ng  with  his  vengeance,  returned  with  consider- 
able booty,  to  repose  himself  within  the  walls  of 
the  Alhambra.^ 

^ Pulgar,  Cron,  pt  3,  cap.  131.  Cura  de  los  Palacios^  cap  97 


CHAPTER  LXXXIX. 

How  King  Ferdinand  treated  the  People  of  Guadix,  and 
how  El  Zagal  finished  his  Regal  Career. 

CARCELY  had  Boabdil  ensconced  him- 
self in  his  capital,  when  King  Ferdinand? 
at  the  head  of  seven  thousand  horse  and 
twenty  thousand  foot,  again  appeared  in  the  vega. 
He  had  set  out  in  all  haste  from  Cordova,  to  the 
relief  of  Salobrena ; but,  hearing  on  his  march 
that  the  siege  was  raised,  he  turned  to  make  a sec- 
ond ravage  round  the  walls  of  devoted  Granada. 
His  present  forage  lasted  fifteen  days,  in  the  course 
of  which  almost  everything  that  had  escaped  his 
former  desolating  visit  was  destroyed,  and  scarce 
a green  thing  or  a living  animal  was  left  on  the 
face  of  the  land.  The  Moors  sallied  frequently, 
and  fought  desperately,  in  defense  of  their  fields : 
but  the  work  of  destruction  was  accomplished  — 
and  Granada,  once  the  queen  of  gardens,  was  left 
surrounded  by  a desert. 

Ferdinand  next  hastened  to  crush  a conspiracy 
in  the  cities  of  Guadix,  Baza,  and  Almeria. 
These  recently  conquered  places  had  entered  into 
secret  correspondence  with  Boabdil,  inviting  him 
to  march  to  their  gates,  promising  to  rise  upon 
the  Christian  garrisons,  seize  upon  the  citadels, 


THE  HOUSELESS  MOORS, 


555 


and  surrender  them  into  his  power.  The  mar- 
ques of  Villena  had  received  notice  of  the  conspir- 
acy, and  suddenly  thrown  himself,  with  a large 
force,  into  Guadix.  Under  pretense  of  a review 
of  the  inhabitants,  he  made  thejn  sally  forth  into 
the  fields  before  the  city.  When  the  whole  Moor- 
ish population  capable  of  bearing  arms  was  thus 
without  the  walls,  he  ordered  the  gates  to  be  closed. 
He  then  permitted  them  to  enter,  two  by  two  and 
three  by  three,  and  take  forth  their  wives,  children,  * 
and  effects.  The  houseless  Moors  were  fain  to 
make  themselves  temporary  hovels,  in  the  gardens 
and  orchards  about  the  city ; they  were  clamor- 
ous in  their  complaints  at  being  thus  excluded 
from  their  homes,  but  were  told  they  must  wait 
with  patience  until  the  charges  against  them  could 
be  investigated,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  king  be 
known.^ 

When  Ferdinand  arrived  at  Guadix,  he  found 
the  unhappy  Moors  in  their  cabins  among  the  or- 
chards. They  complained  bitterly  of  the  deception 
practiced  upon  them,  and  implored  permission  to 
return  into  the  city,  and  live  peaceably  in  their 
dwellings,  as  had  been  promised  them  in  their 
articles  of  capitulation. 

King  Ferdinand  listened  graciously  to  their 
complaints.  “ My  friends,”  said  he  in  reply,  “ I 
have  been  informed  that  there  has  been  a con- 
spiracy among  you  to  kill  my  alcayde  and  garrison, 
and  to  take  part  with  my  enemy,  the  king  of  Gra- 
nada. I shall  make  a thorough  investigation  of 
this  conspiracy.  Those  among  you  who  shall  be 
2 Zurita,  cap.  85.  Cura  dt  hs  Palacios^  cap.  97. 


556 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


proved  innocent  shall  be  restored  to  their  dwell- 
ings, but  the  guilty  shall  incur  the  penalty  of  their 
offenses.  As  I wish,  however,  to  proceed  with 
mercy  as  well  as  justice,  I now  give  you  your 
choice,  either  to  depart  at  once  without  further 
question,  going  wherever  you  please,  and  taking 
with  you  your  families  and  effects,  under  an  as- 
surance of  safety ; or  to  deliver  up  those  who  are 
guilty,  not  one  of  whom,  I give  you  my  royal 
word,  shall  escape  punishment.” 

When  the  people  of  Guadix  heard  these  v/ords, 
they  communed  among  themselves  ; and  as  most 
of  them  (says  the  worthy  Agapida)  were  either 
culpable  or  feared  to  be  considered  so,  they  ac- 
cepted the  alternative,  and  departed  sorrowfully, 
they  and  their  wives  and  their  little  ones.  “ Thus,” 
in  the  words  of  that  excellent  and  contemporary 
historian,  Andres  Bernaldez,  commonly  called  the 
curate  of  Los  Palacios,  — thus  did  the  king  de- 
liver Guadix  from  the  hands  of  the  enemies  of 
our  holy  faith,  after  seven  hundred  and  seventy 
years  that  it  had  been  in  their  possession,  ever 
since  the  time  of  Roderick  the  Goth  ; and  this 
was  one  of  the  mysteries  of  our  Lord,  who  would 
not  consent  that  the  city  should  remain  longer  in 
the  power  of  the  Moors  ” — a pious  and  sage 
remark,  which  is  quoted  with  peculiar  approbation 
by  the  worthy  Agapida. 

King  Ferdinand  offered  similar  alternatives  to 
the  Moors  of  Baza,  Almeria,  and  other  cities  ac- 
cused of  participation  in  this  conspiracy ; who 
generally  preferred  to  abandon  their  homes,  rather 
than  incur  the  risk  of  an  investigation.  Most  of 


MISFORTUNES  OF  EL  ZAGAL. 


557 


them  relinquished  Spain,  as  a country  where  they 
could  no  longer  live  in  security  and  independence, 
and  departed  with  their  families  for  Africa ; such 
as  remained  were  suffered  to  live  in  villages  and 
hamlets,  and  other  unwalled  places.^ 

While  Ferdinand  was  thus  occupied  at  Guadix, 
dispensing  justice  and  mercy,  and  receiving  cities 
in  exchange,  the  old  monarch  Muley  Abdallah, 
surnamed  El  Zagal,  appeared  before  him.  He 
was  haggard  with  care,  and  almost  crazed  with 
passion.  He  had  found  his  little  territory  of 
Andarax,  and  his  two  thousand  subjects,  as  dif- 
ficult to  govern  as  had  been  the  distracted  king- 
dom of  Granada.  The  charm,  which  had  bound 
the  Moors  to  him,  was  broken  when  he  appeared 
in  arms  under  the  .banner  of  Ferdinand.  He  had 
returned  from  his  inglorious  campaign  with  his 
petty  army  of  two  hundred  men,  followed  by  the 
execrations  of  the  people  of  Granada,  and  the 
secret  repining  of  those  he  had  led  into  the  field. 
No  sooner  had  his  subjects  heard  of  the  successes 
of  Boabdil  el  Chico,  than  they  had  seized  their 
arms,  assembled  tumultuously,  declared  for  the 
young  monarch,  and  threatened  the  life  of  El 
Zagal.^  The  unfortunate  old  king  had  with  dif- 
ficulty evaded  their  fury ; and  this  last  lesson 
seemed  entirely  to  have  cured  him  of  his  passion 
for  sovereignty.  He  now  entreated  Ferdinand 
to  purchase  the  towns  and  castles,  and  other  pos- 
sessions which  had  been  granted  to  him  ; offering 
them  at  a low  rate,  and  begging  safe  passage  for 

1 Garibay,  lib.  13,  cap.  39.  Pulgar,  pt.  3,  cap.  132. 

^ Cura  de  hs  Palacios^  cap.  97. 


558 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


himself  and  his  followers  to  Africa.  King  Ferdi- 
nand graciously  complied  with  his  wishes.  He 
purchased  of  him  three-and-twenty  towns  and 
villages  in  the  valleys  of  Andarax  and  Alhaurin, 
for  which  he  gave  him  five  millions  of  maravedis. 
El  Zagal  relinquished  his  right  to  one  half  of  the 
salinas  or  salt-pits  of  Maleha,  in  favor  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Cid  Hiaya.  Having  thus  disposed 
of  his  petty  empire  and  possessions,  he  packed  up 
all  his  treasure,  of  which  he  had  a great  amount, 
and,  followed  by  many  Moorish  families,  passed 
over  to  Africa.^ 

And  here  let  us  cast  an  eye  beyond  the  present 
period  of  our  chronicle,  and  trace  the  remaining 
career  of  El  Zagal.  His  short  and  turbulent 
reign,  and  disastrous  end,  would  afford  a whole- 
some lesson  to  unprincipled  ambition,  were  not  all 
ambition  of  the  kind  fated  to  be  blind  to  precept 
and  example.  When  he  arrived  in  Africa,  instead 
of  meeting  with  kindness  and  sympathy,  he  was 
seized  and  thrown  into  prison  by  the  caliph  of 
Fez,  Benimerin,  as  though  he  had  been  his  vassal. 
He  was  accused  of  being  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
sensions and  downfall  of  the  kingdom  of  Granada ; 
and  the  accusation  being  proved  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  king  of  Fez,  he  condemned  the  unhappy 
El  Zagal  to  perpetual  darkness.  A basin  of  glow- 
ing copper  was  passed  before  his  eyes,  which 
effectually  destroyed  his  sight.  His  wealth,  which 
had  probably  been  the  secret  cause  of  these  cruel 
measures,  was  confiscated  and  seized  upon  by  his 
oppressor ; and  El  Zagal  was  thrust  forth,  blind, 
1 Conde,  pt.  4,  cap.  41. 


FATE  OF  EL  ZAGAL, 


559 


helpless,  and  destitute,  upon  the  world.  In  this 
wretched  condition,  the  late  Moorish  monarch 
groped  his  way  through  the  regions  of  Tingitania, 
until  he  reached  the  city  of  Velez  de  la  Gomera. 
The  emir  of  Velez  had  formerly  been  his  ally, 
and  felt  some  movement  of  compassion  at  his  pres- 
ent altered  and  abject  state.  He  gave  him  food 
and  raiment,  and  suffered  him  to  remain  un- 
molested in  his  dominions.  Death,  which  so  often 
hurries  off  the  prosperous  and  happy  from  the 
midst  of  untasted  pleasures,  spares  on  the  other 
hand,  the  miserable,  to  drain  the  last  drop  of  his 
cup  of  bitterness.  El  Zagal  dragged  out  a 
wretched  existence  of  many  years,  in  the  city  of 
Velez.  He  wandered  about  blind  and  disconsolate, 
an  object  of  mingled  scorn  and  pity,  and  bearing 
above  his  raiment  a parchment  on  which  was 
written  in  Arabic,  This  is  the  unfortunate  king 
of  Andalusia.”  ^ 

1 Marmol  de  Rehelione  Maur,  lib.  1,  cap.  16.  Padraza, 
Bisl.  Granad.  pt.  3,  cap.  4.  Suarez,  Hist,  Obisp,  de  Guadtx  g 
Baza,  cap.  10. 


CHAPTER  XC. 

Preparations  of  Granada  for  a Desperate  Defense. 

OW  is  thy  strength  departed,  O Gra- 
nada ! how  is  thy  beauty  withered  and 
despoiled,  O city  of  groves  and  foun- 
tains ! The  commerce  that  once  thronged  thy 
streets  is  at  an  end  ; the  merchant  no  longer  has- 
tens to  thy  gates,  with  the  luxuries  of  foreign 
lands.  The  cities  which  once  paid  thee  tribute 
are  wrested  from  thy  sway ; the  chivalry  which 
filled  thy  Vivarrambla  with  sumptuous  pageantry, 
have  fallen  in  many  battles.  The  Alhambra  still 
rears  its  ruddy  towers  from  the  midst  of  groves, 
hut  melancholy  reigns  in  its  marble  halls ; and 
the  monarch  looks  down  from  his  lofty  balconies 
upon  a naked  waste,  where  once  extended  the 
blooming  glories  of  the  vega  ! 

Such  is  the  lament  of  the  Moorish  writers, 
over  the  lamentable  state  of  Granada,  now  a 
mere  phantom  of  former  greatness.  The  two 
ravages  of  the  vega,  following  so  closely  upon 
each  other,  had  swept  off  all  the  produce  of  the 
year ; and  the  husbandman  had  no  longer  the 
heart  to  till  the  field,  seeing  the  ripening  harvest 
only  brought  the  spoiler  to  his  door. 

During  the  winter  season,  Ferdinand  made 


PREPARATIONS  OF  FERDINANh,  561 


diligent  preparations  for  the  campaign,  thi,t  was 
to  decide  the  fate  of  Granada.  As  this  war  was 
waged  purely  for  the  promotion  of  the  Christian 
faith,  he  thought  it  meet  that  its  enemies  should 
bear  the  expenses.  He  levied,  therefore,  a gen- 
eral contribution  upon  the  Jews  throughout  his 
kingdom,  by  synagogues  and  districts  : and 

obliged  them  to  render  in  the  proceeds,  at  the  city 
of  Seville.  1 

On  the  11th  of  April,  Ferdinand  and  Isabella 
departed  for  the  Moorish  frontier,  with  the  solemn 
determination  to  lay  close  siege  to  Granada,  and 
never  quit  its  walls  until  they  had  planted  the 
standard  of  the  faith  on  the  towers  of  the  Alham- 
bra. Many  of  the  nobles  of  the  kingdom,  partic- 
ularly those  from  parts  remote  from  the  scene 
of  action,  wearied  by  the  toils  of  war,  and  fore- 
seeing that  this  would  be  a tedious  siege,  requir- 
ing patience  and  vigilance  rather  than  hardy 
deeds  of  arms,  contented  themselves  with  send- 
ing their  vassals,  while  they  staid  at  home,  to  at- 
tend to  their  domains.  Many  cities  furnished 
soldiers  at  their  cost,  and  the  king  took  the  field 
with  an  army  of  forty  thousand  infantry  and  ten 
thousand  horse.  The  principal  captains  who 
followed  him  in  this  campaign,  were  Roderigo 
Ponce  de  Leon,  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  the  mas- 
ter of  Santiago,  the  marques  of  Villena,  the 
counts  of  Tendilla,  Cifuentes,  Cabra,  and  Urena, 
and  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar. 

Queen  Isabella,  accompanied  by  her  son,  the 
prince  Juan,  and  the  princesses  Juana,  Maria^  and 

1 Garibay,  lib.  18,  c.  39. 

36 


562 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


Cathalina,  her  daughters,  proceeded  to  Alcala  la 
Real,  the  mountain  fortress  and  stronghold  of  the 
count  de  Tendilla.  Here  she  remained,  to  forward 
supplies  to  the  army,  and  to  be  ready  to  repair 
to  the  camp,  whenever  her  presence  might  be  re- 
quired. 

The  army  of  Ferdinand  poured  into  the  vega, 
by  various  defiles  of  the  mountains ; and,  on  the 
23d  of  April,  the  royal  tent  was  pitched  at  a 
village  called  Los  Ojos  de  Huescar,  about  a 
league  and  a half  from  Granada.  At  the  ap- 
proach of  this  formidable  force,  the  harassed  in- 
habitants turned  pale,  and  even  many  of  the 
warriors  trembled  ; for  they  felt  that  the  last  des- 
perate struggle  was  at  hand. 

Boabdil  el  Chico  assembled  his  council  in  the 
Alhambra,  from  the  windows  of  which  they  could 
behold  the  Christian  squadrons  glistening  through 
clouds  of  dust,  as  they  poured  along  the  vega. 
The  utmost  confusion  and  consternation  reigned 
in  the  council.  Many  of  the  members,  terrified 
with  the  horrors  impending  over  their  families, 
advised  Boabdil  to  throw  himself  upon  the  gener- 
osity of  the  Christian  monarch:  even  several  of 
the  bravest  suggested  the  possibility  of  obtaining 
honorable  terms. 

The  wazir  of  the  city,  Abul  Casim  Abdel 
Melic,  was  called  upon  to  report  the  state  of  the 
public  means  for  sustenance  and  defense.  There 
were  sufficient  provisions,  he  said,  for  a few 
months’  supply,  independent  of  what  might  exist 
in  the  possession  of  merchants  and  other  rich  in- 
habitants. “ But  of  what  avail,”  said  he,  is  a 


MUZA'S  STURDY  BESOLUTIOI^  563 


supply  for  a few  months,  against  the  sieges  of 
the  Castilian  monarch,  which  are  interminab  e ? 

He  produced,  also,  the  lists  of  men  capably  of 
bearing  arms.  “The  number,”  said  he,  “is  grtat; 
but  what  can  be  expected  from  mere  citizen-Sy')!- 
diers?  They  vaunt  and  menace,  in  time  o*^ 
safety ; none  are  so  arrogant,  when  the  enemy  ir 
at  a distance  — but  when  the  din  of  war  thunders 
at  the  gates,  they  hide  themselves  in  terror.” 

When  Muza  heard  these  words,  he  rose  with 
generous  warmth : “ What  reason  have  we,” 

said  he,  “ to  despair  ? The  blood  of  those  illus- 
trious Moors,  the  conquerors  of  Spain,  still  flows 
in  our  veins.  Let  us  be  true  to  ourselves,  and 
fortune  will  again  be  with  us.  We  have  a veteran 
force,  both  horse  and  foot,  the  flower  of  our  chiv- 
alry, seasoned  in  war  and  scarred  in  a thousand 
battles.  As  to  the  multitude  of  our  citizens, 
spoken  of  so  slightly,  why  should  we  doubt  their 
valor  ? There  are  twenty  thousand  young  men, 
in  the  fire  of  youth,  whom  I will  engage,  that  in 
the  defense  of  their  homes  they  will  rival  the 
most  valiant  veterans.  Do  we  want  provisions  ? 
Our  horses  are  fleet,  and  our  horsemen  daring  in 
the  foray.  Let  them  scour  and  scourge  the  coun- 
try of  those  apostate  Moslems  who  have  sur- 
rendered to  the  Christians.  Let  them  make  in- 
roads into  the  lands  of  our  enemies.  We  shall 
soon  see  them  returning  with  cavalgadas  to  our 
gates ; and,  to  a soldier,  there  is  no  morsel  so 
sweet  as  that  wrested  with  hard  fighting  from 
the  foe.” 

Boabdil,  though  he  wanted  firm  and  durable 


5G4 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


courage,  was  readily  excited  to  sudden  emotions 
of  bravery.  He  caught  a glow  of  resolution 
from  the  noble  ardor  of  Muza.  * “ Do  v/hat  is 
needful,”  said  he  to  his  commanders  ; “ into  your 
hands  I confide  the  common  safety.  You  are 
the  protectors  of  the  kingdom,  and  with  the  aid 
of  Allah,  will  revenge  the  insults  of  our  religion, 
the  deaths  of  our  friends  and  relations,  and  the 
sorrows  and  sufferings  heaped  upon  our  land.”  ^ 

To  every  one  was  now  assigned  his  separate 
duty.  The  wazir  had  charge  of  the  arms  and 
provisions,  and  the  enrolling  of  the  people. 
Muza  was  to  command  the  cavalry,  to  defend 
the  gates,  and  to  take  the  lead  in  all  sallies  and 
skirmishings.  Naim  Reduan,  and  Muhamed  Aben 
Zayde,  were  his  adjutants.  Abdel  Kerim  Zegri, 
and  the  other  captains,  were  to  guard  the  walls ; 
and  the  alcaydes  of  the  Alcazaba,  and  of  the 
Red  Towers,  had  command  of  the  fortresses. 

Nothing  now  was  heard  but  the  din  of  arms, 
and  the  bustle  of  preparation^  The  Moorish 
spirit,  quick  to  catch  fire,  was  immediately  in  a 
flame  ; and  the  populace,  in  the  excitement  of 
the  moment,  set  at  naught  the  power  of  the  Chris- 
tians. Muza  was  in  all  parts  of  the  city,  infus- 
ing his  own  generous  zeal  into  the  bosoms  of  the 
soldiery.  The  young  cavaliers  rallied  round  him 
as  their  model ; the  veteran  warriors  regarded 
him  with  a soldier’s  admiration  ; the  vulgar  throng 
followed  him  with  shouts,  and  the  helpless  part 
of  the  inhabitants,  the  old  men  and  the  women, 
hailed  him  with  blessings  as  their  protector. 

1 Conde. 


MUZA'S  PRACTICAL  BRAVERY.  565 


On  ihe  first  appearance  of  the  Christian  army 
the  principal  gates  of  the  city  had  been  closed, 
and  secured  with  bars  and  bolts  and  heavy  chains: 
Muza  now  ordered  them  to  be  thrown  open ; “ To 
me  and  my  cavaliers,”  said  he,  “is  intrusted  the 
defense  of  the  gates  ; our  bodies  shall  be  their 
barriers.”  He  stationed  at  each  gate  a strong 
guard,  chosen  from  his  bravest  men.  His  horse- 
men were  always  completely  armed,  and  ready  to 
mount  at  a moment’s  warning  ; their  steeds  stood 
saddled  and  caparisoned  in  the  stables,  with  lance 
and  buckler  beside  them.  On  the  least  approach 
of  the  enemy,  a squadron  of  horse  gathered 
within  the  gate,  ready  to  launch  forth  like  the 
bolt  from  the  thunder-cloud.  Muza  made  no 
empty  bravado  nor  haughty  threat  ; he  was  more 
terrible  in  deeds  than  in  words,  and  executed  dar- 
ing exploits,  beyond  even  the  vaunt  of  the  vain- 
glorious. Such  was  the  present  champion  of  the 
Moors.  Had  they  possessed  many  such  warriors, 
or  had  Muza  risen  to  power  at  an  earlier  period 
of  the  war,  the  fate  of  Granada  might  have  been 
deferred,  and  the  Moor  for  a long  time  have 
maintained  his  throne  within  the  wallt>  of  the 
Alhambra. 


CHAPTER  XCL 

How  King  Ferdinand  conducted  the  Siege  cautiously  ; and 
how  Queen  Isabella  arrived  at  the  Camp. 

HOUGH  Granada  was  shorn  of  its  glo- 
ries, and  nearly  cut  off  from  all  external . 
aid,  still  its  mighty  castles  and  massive 
bulwarks  seemed  to  set  all  attack  at  defiance. 
Being  the  last  retreat  of  Moorish  power,  it  had 
assembled  within  its  walls  the  remnants  of  the  ar- 
mies which  had  contended,  step  by  step,  with  the 
invaders,  in  their  gradual  conquest  of  the  land. 
All  that  remained  of  high-born  and  high-bred 
chivalry,  was  here ; all  that  was  loyal  and  pa- 
triotic was  roused  to  activity  bj  the  common 
danger  ; and  Granada,  so  long  lulled  into  inaction 
by  vain  hopes  of  security,  now  assumed  a formi- 
dable aspect  in  the  hour  of  its  despair. 

Ferdinand  saw  that  any  attempt  to  subdue  the 
city  by  main  force  would  be  perilous  and  bloody. 
Cautious  in  his  policy,  and  fond  of  conquests 
gained  by  art  rather  than  valor,  he  resorted  to 
the  plan  so  successful  with  Baza,  and  determined  to 
reduce  the  place  by  famine.  For  this  purpose,  his 
armies  penetrated  into  the  very  heart  of  the  Al- 
puxarras,  and  ravaged  the  valleys,  and  sacked  and 
burnt  the  towns,  upon  which  the  city  depended 


ARRIVAL  OF  ISABELLA. 


567 


for  its  supplies.  Scouting  parties,  also,  ranged 
the  mountains  behind  Granada,  and  captured 
every  casual  convoy  of  provisions.  The  Moors 
became  more  daring,  as  their  si  (nation  became 
more  hopeless.  Never  had  Ferdinand  experienced 
such  vigorous  sallies  and  assaults.  Muza,  at  the 
head  of  his  cavalry,  harassed  the  borders  of  the 
camp,  and  even  penetrated  into  the  interior, 
making  sudden  spoil  and  ravage,  and  leaving  his 
course  to  be  traced  by  the  slain  and  wounded. 
To  protect  his  camp  from  these  assaults,  Fer- 
dinand fortified  it  with  deep  trenches  and  strong 
bulwarks.  It  was  of  a quadrangular  form,  di- 
vided into  streets  like  a city,  the  troops  being 
quartered  in  tents,  and  in  booths  constructed  of 
bushes  and  branches  of  trees.  When  it  was 
completed.  Queen  Isabella  came  in  state,  with  all 
her  court,  and  the  prince  and  princesses,  to  be 
present  at  the  siege.  This  was  intended,  as  on 
former  occasions,  to  reduce  the  besieged  to  de- 
spair, by  showing  the  determination  of  the  sove- 
eigns  to  reside  in  the  camp  until  the  city  should 
surrender.  Immediately  after  her  arrival,  the 
queen  rode  forth,  to  survey  the  camp  and  its  en- 
virons : wherever  she  went,  she  was  attended  by 
a splendid  retinue  ; and  all  the  commanders  vied 
with  each  other,  in  the  pomp  and  ceremony  with 
which  they  received  her.  Nothing  was  heard, 
from  morning  until  night,  but  shouts  and  acclama- 
tions, and  bursts  of  martial  music  ; so  that  it 
appeared  to  the  Moors  as  if  a continual  festival 
and  triumph  reigned  in  the  Christian  camp. 

The  arrival  of  the  queen,  however,  and  the 


568 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


menaced  obstinacy  of  the  siege,  had  no  effect  in 
damping  the  fire  of  the  Moorish  chivalry.  Muza 
inspired  the  youthful  warriors  with  the  most  de- 
voted heroism : We  have  nothing  left  to  fight 

for,’’  said  he,  “ but  the  ground  we  stand  on ; when 
this  is  lost,  we  cease  to  have  a country  and  a 
name.” 

Finding  the  Christian  king  forbore  to  make  an 
attack,  Muza  incited  his  cavaliers  to  challenge 
the  youthful  chivalry  of  the  Christian  army  to 
single  combat,  or  partial  skirmishes.  Scarce  a 
day  passed  without  gallant  conflicts  of  the  kind, 
in  sight  of  the  city  and  the  camp.  The  combat- 
ants rivaled  each  other  in  the  splendor  of  their 
armor  and  array,  as  well  as  in  the  prowess  of 
their  deeds.  Their  contests  were  more  like  the 
stately  ceremonials  of  tilts  and  tournaments, 
than  the  rude  conflicts  of  the  field.  Ferdinand 
• soon  perceived  that  they  animated  the  fiery  Moors 
with  fresh  zeal  and  courage,  while  they  cost  the 
lives  of  many  of  his  bravest  cavaliers : he  again, 
therefore,  forbade  the  acceptance  of  any  individ- 
ual challenges,  and  ordered  that  all  partial  encoun- 
ters should  be  avoided.  The  cool  and  stern  pol- 
icy of  the  Catholic  sovereign  bore  hard  upon  the 
generous  spirits  of  either  army,  but  roused  the  in- 
dignation of  the  Moors,  when  they  found  that  they 
were  to  be  subdued  in  this  inglorious  manner  : 
‘‘  Of  what  avail,”  said  they,  “ are  chivalry  and 
heroic  valor?  the  crafty  monarch  of  the  Chris- 
tians has  no  magnanimity  in  warfare  ; he  seeks 
to  subdue  us  through  the  weakness  of  our  bodies, 
but  shuns  to  encounter  the  courage  of  our  souls.” 


CHAPTER  XCIL 

Of  the  Insolent  Defiance  of  Tarfe  the  Moor,  and  the  Daring 
Exploit  of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar. 


HEN  the  Moorish  knights  beheld  "that 
all  courteous  challenges  were  unavail- 
ing, they  sought  various  means  to  pro- 
voke the  Christian  warriors  to  the  field.  Some- 
times a body  of  them,  fleetly  mounted,  would 
gallop  up  to  the  skirts  of  the  camp,  and  try  who 
should  hurl  his  lance  farthest  within  the  barriers, 
having  his  name  inscribed  upon  it,  or  a label  af- 
fixed, containing  some  taunting  defiance.  These 
bravadoes  caused  great  irritation ; still  the  Span- 
ish warriors  were  restrained  by  the  prohibition  of 
the  king. 

Among  the  Moorish  cavaliers  was  one  named 
Tarfe,  renowned  for  strength  and  daring  spirit ; 
but  whose  courage  partook  of  fierce  audacity, 
rather  than  chivalric  heroism.  In  one  of  these 
sallies,  when  skirting  the  Christian  camp,  this  ar- 
rogant Moor  outstripped  his  companions,  over- 
leaped the  barriers,  and,  galloping  close  to  the  • 
royal  quarters,  launched  his  lance  so  far  within, 
that  it  remained  quivering  in  the  earth  close  by 
the  pavilions  of  the  sovereigns.  The  royal  guards 
rushed  forth  in  pursuit,  but  the  Moorish  horsemen 


570 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


were  already  beyond  the  camp,  and  scouring  in  a 
cloud  of  dust  for  the  city.  Upon  wresting  the 
lance  from  the  earth,  a label  was  found  upon  it, 
inrporting  that  it  was  intended  for  the  queen. 

Nothing  could  equal  the  indignation  of  the 
Christian  warriors  at  the  insolence  of  the  bravado, 
and  the  discourteous  insult  offered  to  the  queen. 
Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar,  surnamed  ‘‘he  of  the 
exploits,”  was  present,  and  resolved  not  to  be  out- 
braved by  this  daring  infidel : “ Who  will  stand 
by  me,”  said  he,  “ in  an  enterprise  of  desperate 
peril  ? ” The  Christian  cavaliers  well  knew  the 
hare-brained  valor  of  Hernan,  yet  not  one  hesitated 
to  step  forward.  He  chose  fifteen  companions, 
all  of  powerful  arm  and  dauntless  heart. 

His  project  was  to  penetrate  Granada  in  the 
dead  of  the  night,  by  a secret  pass,  made  known 
to  him  by  a Moorish  renegade  of  thei  city,  whom 
he  had  christened  Pedro  Pulgar,  and  who  was  to 
act  as  guide.  They  were  to  set  fire  to  the  Al- 
caiceria  and  other  principal  edifices,  and  then  ef- 
fect their  retreat  as  best  they  might.  At  the 
hour  appointed,  the  adventurous  troop  set  forth 
provided  with  combustibies.  The  renegade  led 
them  silently  to  a drain  or  channel  of  the  river 
Darro,  up  which  they  proceeded  cautiously,  single 
file,  until  they  halted  under  a bridge  near  the 
royal  gate.  Here  dismounting,  Pulgar  stationed 
six  of  his  companions  to  remain  silent  and  mo- 
tionless and  keep  guard,  while  followed  by  the 
rest,  and  still  guided  by  the  renegade,  he  contin- 
ued up  the  drain  or  channel  of  the  Darro,  which 
passes  under  a part  of  the^  city,  and  was  thus 


EXPLOIT  OF  PULGAR. 


571 


enabled  to  make  his  way  undiscovered  into  the 
streets.  All  was  dark  and  silent.  At  the  com- 
mand of  Pulgar,  the  renegade  led  him  to  the 
principal  mosque.  Here  the  cavalier,  pious  as 
brave,  threw  himself  on  his  knees,  and  drawing 
forth  a parchment  scroll  on  which  was  inscribed 
in  large  letters  Ave  Maria,  nailed  it  to  the  door 
of  the  mosque,  thus  converting  the  heathen  edi- 
fice into  a Christian  chapel  and  dedicating  it  to 
the  blessed  Virgin.  This  done,  he  hastened  to 
the  Alcaiceria  to  set  it  in  a blaze.  The  combus- 
tibles were  all  placed,  but  Tristan  de  Monte- 
mayor,  who  had  charge  of  the  firebrand,  had  care- 
lessly left  it  at  the  door  of  the  mosque.  It  was 
too  late  to  return  there.  Pulgar  was  endeavor- 
ing to  strike  fire  with  flint  and  steel  into  the 
raveled  end  of  a cord,  when  he  was  startled  by 
the  approach  of  the  Moorish  guard  going  the 
rounds.  His  hand  was  on  his  sword  in  an  in- 
stant. Seconded  by  his  brave  companions,  he 
assailed  the  astonished  Moors  and  put  them  to 
flight.  In  a little  while  the  whole  city  resounded 
with  alarms,  soldiers  were  hurrying  through  the 
streets  in  every  direction  ; but  Pulgar,  guided  by 
the  renegade,  made  good  his  retreat  by  the  chan- 
nel of  the  Darro,  to  his  companions  at  the  bridge, 
and  all  mounting  their  horses,  spurred  back  to  the 
camp.  The  Moors  were  at  a loss  to  imagine  the 
meaning  of  this  wild  and  apparently  fruitless 
assault  ; but  great  was  their  exasperation,  on  the 
following  day,  when  the  trophy  of  hardihood  and 
pi'owess,  the  “ Ave  Maria,”  was  discovered  thus 
elevated  in  bravado  in  the  very  centre  of  the  city. 


572 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


The  mosque  thus  boldly  sanctified  by  Hernan  del 
Pulgar  was  actually  consecrated  into  a cathedral, 
after  the  capture  of  Granada.^ 

1 The  account  here  given  of  the  exploit  of  Hernan  del  Pul- 
gar, differs  from  that  given  in  the  first  edition,  and  is  conform- 
able to  the  record  of  the  fact  in  a manuscript  called  “ The 
House  of  Solar  f existing  in  the  library  of  Salazar,  and  cited 
by  Alcantara  in  his  History  of  Granada. 

In  commemoration  of  this  daring  feat  of  Pulgar,  the  Empe- 
ror Charles  V.,  in  after  years,  conferred  on  that  cavalier,  and 
on  his  descendants,  the  marquesies  of  Salar,  the  privilege  of 
sitting  in  the  choir  during  high  mass,  and  assigned  as  the 
place  of  sepulture  of  Pulgar  himself,  the  identical  spot  where 
he  kneeled  to  affix  the  sacred  scroll ; and  his  tomb  is  still  held 
in  great  veneration.  This  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar  was  a 
man  of  letters,  as  well  as  arms,  and  inscribed  to  Charles  V.  a 
summary  of  the  achievements  of  Gonsalvo  of  Cordova,  sur- 
named  the  Great  Captain,  who  had  been  one  of  his  comrades 
in  arms.  He  is  often  confounded  with  Hernando  del  Pulgar, 
historian  and  secretarj^  to  Queen  Isabella.  — See  note  to  Pul- 
gar’s  Chron.  of  the  Catholic  Sovereigns^  part  3,  c.  iii.  edit.  Val- 
encia, 1780. 


CHAPTER  XCIII. 


How  Queen  Isabella  took  a View  of  the  City  of  Granada  — 
and  how  her  Curiosity  cost  the  Lives  of  many  Christians 
and  Moors. 


HE  royal  encampment  lay  so  distant 
from  Granada,  that  the  general  aspect 
of  the  city  only  could  be  seen,  as  it  rose 
gracefully  from  the  vega,  covering  the  sides  of  the 
hills  with  palaces  and  towers.  Queen  Isabella 
had  expressed  an  earnest  desire  to  behold,  nearer 
at  hand,  a city  whose  beauty  was  so  renowned 
throughout  the  world ; and  the  marques  of  Cadiz, 
with  his  accustomed  courtesy,  prepared  a great 
military  escort  and  guard,  to  protect  her  and  the 
ladies  of  the  court,  while  they  enjoyed  this  peril- 
ous gratification. 

On  the  morning  of  June  the  18th,  a magnifi- 
cent and  powerful  train  issued  from  the  Christian 
camp.  The  advanced  guard  was  composed  of 
legions  of  cavalry,  heavily  armed,  looking  like 
moving  masses  of  polished  steel.  Then  came  the 
king  and  queen,  with  the  prince  and  princesses, 
and  the  ladies  of  the  court,  surrounded  by  the 
royal  body-guard,  sumptuously  arrayed,  composed 
of  the  sons  of  the  most  illustrious  houses  of  Spain  ; 
after  these  was  the  rear-guard,  a powerful  force 
of  horse  and  foot ; for  the  flower  of  the  army  sal- 


574 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


lied  forth  that  day.  The  Moors  gazed  with  fear- 
ful admiration  at  this  glorious  pageant,  wherein 
the  pomp  of  the  court  was  mingled  with  the  ter- 
rors of  the  camp.  It  moved  along  in  radiant 
line,  across  the  vega,  to  the  melodious  thunders 
of  martial  music ; while  banner  and  plume,  and 
silken  scarf,  and  rich  brocade,  gave  a gay  and 
gorgeous  relief  to  the  grim  visage  of  iron  war, 
that  lurked  beneath. 

The  army  moved  towards  the  hamlet  of  Zubia, 
built  on  the  skirts  of  the  mountain  to  the  left  of 
Granada,  and  commanding  a view  of  the  Alham- 
bra, and  the  most  beautiful  quarter  of  the  city. 
As  they  approached  the  hamlet,  the  marques  of 
Villena,  the  count  Urena,  and  Don  Alonzo  de 
Aguilar  filed  off  with  their  battalions,  and  were 
soon  seen  glittering  along  the  side  of  the  moun- 
tain above  the  village.  In  the  mean  time  the 
marques  of  Cadiz,  the  count  de  Tendilla,  the 
count  de  Cabra,  and  Don  Alonzo  Fernandez, 
senior  of  Alcaudrete  and  Montemayor,  drew  up 
their  forces  in  battle  array  on  the  plain  below  the 
hamlet,  presenting  a living  barrier  of  loyal  chiv- 
alry between  the  sovereigns  and  the  city. 

Thus  securely  guarded,  the  royal  party  alighted, 
and,  entering  one  of  the  houses  of  the  hamlet, 
which  had  been  prepared  for  their  reception,  en- 
joyed a full  view  of  the  city  from  its  terraced 
roof.  The  ladies  of  the  court  gazed  with  delight 
at  the  red  towers  of  the  Alhambra,  rising  from 
amid  shady  groves,  anticipating  the  time  when 
the  Catholic  sovereigns  should  be  enthroned  within 
its  walls,  and  its  courts  shine  with  the  splendor 


A MARTIAL  PARADE. 


575 


of  Spanish  chivalry.  “ The  reverend  prelate? 
and  holy  friars,  who  always  surrounded  the  queen^ 
looked  with  serene  satisfaction,”  says  Fray  Anto- 
nio Agapida,  at  this  modern  Babylon,  enjoying 
the  triumph  that  awaited  them,  when  those 
mosques  and  minarets  should  be  converted  into 
churches,  and  goodly  priests  and  bishops  should 
succeed  to  the  infidel  alfaquis.” 

When  the  Moors  beheld  the  Christians  thus 
drawn  forth  in  full  array  in  the  plain,  they  sup- 
posed it  was  to  offer  battle,  and  hesitated  not  to 
accept  it.  In  a little  while  the  queen  beheld  a 
body  of  Moorish  cavalry  pouring  into  the  vega, 
the  riders  managing  their  fleet  and  fiery  steeds 
with  admirable  address.  They  were  richly  armed, 
and  clothed  in  the  most  brilliant  colors,  and  the 
caparisons  of  their  steeds  flamed  with  gold  and 
embroidery.  This  was  the  favorite  squadron  of 
Muza,  composed  of  the  flower  of  the  youthful 
cavaliers  of  Granada.  Others  succeeded,  some 
heavily  armed,  others  d la  gineta^  with  lance  and 
buckler ; and  lastly  came  the  legions  of  foot-sol- 
diers, with  arquebus  and  cross-bow,  and  spear 
and  scimetar. 

When  the  queen  saw  this  army  issuing  from 
the  city,  she  sent  to  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  and 
forbade  any  attack  upon  the  enemy,  or  the  ac- 
ceptance of  any  challenge  to  a skirmish ; for  she 
was  loth  that  her  curiosity  should  cost  the  life  of 
a single  human  being. 

The  marques  promised  to  obey,  though  sorely 
against  his  will ; and  it  grieved  the  spirit  of  the 
Spanish  cavaliers  to  be  obliged  to  remain  with 


576 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


sheathed  swords  while  bearded  bj  the  foe.  The 
Moors  could  not  comprehend  the  meaning  of  this 
inaction  of  the  Christians,  after  having  appar- 
ently invited  a battle.  They  sallied  several 
times  from  their  ranks,  and  approached  near 
enough  to  discharge  their  arrows ; but  the 
Christians  were  immovable.  Many  of  the 
Moorish  horsemen  galloped  close  to  the  Chris- 
tian ranks,  brandishing  their  lances  and  sci- 
metars,  and  defying  various  cavaliers  to  sin- 
gle combat ; but  Ferdinand  had  rigorously 
prohibited  all  duels  of  this  kind,  and  they 
dared  not  transgress  his  orders  under  his 
very  eye. 

Here,  however,  the  worthy  Fray  Antonio 
Agapida,  in  his  enthusiasm  for  the  triumphs 
of  the  faith,  records  the  following  incident, 
which  we  fear  is  not  sustained  by  any  grave 
chronicler  of  the  times,  but  rests  merely  on 
tradition,  or  the  authority  of  certain  poets  and 
dramatic  writers,  who  have  perpetuated  the 
tradition  in  their  works.  While  this  grim  and 
reluctant  tranquillity  prevailed  along  the  Chris- 
tian line,  says  Agapida,  there  rose  a mingled 
shout  and  sound  of  laughter  near  the  gate  of 
the  city.  A Moorish  horseman,  armed  at  all 
points,  issued  forth,  followed  by  a rabble,  who 
drew  back  as  he  approached  the  scene  of  dan- 
ger. The  Moor  was  more  robust  and  brawny 
than  was  common  with  his  countrymen.  His 
visor  was  closed ; he  bore  a huge  buckler  and 
a ponderous  lance  ; his  scimetar  was  of  a Da- 
mascus blade,  and  his  richly  ornamented  dagger 
was  wrought  by  an  artificer  of  Fez.  He  was 
known  by  his  device  to  be  Tarfe,  the  most 


GAR  OIL  AS  so  AND  TARFE, 


577 


insolent,  yet  valiant,  of  the  Moslem  warriors  — 
the  same  who  had  hurled  into  the  royal  camp  his 
lance,  inscribed  to  the  queen.  As  he  rode  slowly 
along  in  front  of  the  army,  his  very  steed,  pran- 
cing with  fiery  eye  and  distended  nostril,  seemed 
to  breathe  defiance  to  the  Christians. 

But  what  were  the  feelings  of  the  Spanish 
cavaliers,  when  they  beheld,  tied  to  the  tail  of 
his  steed,  and  dragged  in  the  dust,  the  very  in- 
scription, “ Ave  Maria,’’  which  Hernan  Perez 
del  Pulgar  had  affixed  to  the  door  of  the  mosque ! 
A burst  of  horror  and  indignation  broke  forth 
from  the  army.  Hernan  was  not  at  hand,  to 
maintain  his  previous  achievement ; but  one  of 
his  young  companions  in  arms,  Garcilasso  de  la 
Vega  by  name,  putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  gal- 
loped to  the  hamlet  of  Zubia,  threw  himself  on 
his  knees  before  the  king,  and  besought  permis- 
sion to  accept  the  defiance  of  this  insolent  infidel, 
and  to  revenge  the  insult  offered  to  our  blessed 
Lady.  The  request  was  too  pious  to  be  refused : 
Garcilasso  remounted  his  steed ; closed  his  hel- 
met, graced  by  four  sable  plumes,  grasped  his 
buckler  of  Flemish  workmanship,  and  his  lance 
of  matchless  temper,  and  defied  the  haughty 
Moor  in  the  midst  of  his  career.  A combat  took 
place,  in  view  of  the  two  armies  and  of  the  Cas- 
tilian court.  The  Moor  was  powerful  in  wield- 
ing his  weapons,  and  dexterous  in  managing  his 
steed.  He  v/as  of  larger  frame  than  Garcilasso, 
and  more  completely  armed;  and  the  Christians 
trembled  for  their  champion.  The  shock  of  their 
encounter  was  dreadful ; their  lances  were  shiv- 


578 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


ered,  and  sent  up  splinters  in  the  air.  Garcilasso 
was  thrown  back  in  his  saddle  — his  horse  made 
a wide  career  before  he  could  recover,  gather  up 
the  reins,  and  return  to  the  conflict.  They  now 
encountered  each  other  with  swords.  The  Moor 
circled  round  his  opponent,  as  a hawk  circles 
whereabout  to  make  a swoop ; his  steed  obeyed 
his  rider  with  matchless  quickness ; at  every  at- 
tack of  the  infidel,  it  seemed  as  if  the  Christian 
knight  must  sink  beneath  his  flashing  scimetar. 
But  if  Garcilasso  was  inferior  to  him  in  power, 
he  was  superior  in  agility;  many  of  his  blows  he 
parried ; others  he  received  upon  his  Flemish 
shield,  which  was  proof  against  the  Damascus 
blade.  The  blood  streamed  from  numerous 
wounds  received  by  either  warrior.  The  Moor, 
seeing  his  antagonist  exhausted,  availed  himself 
of  his  superior  force,  and,  grappling,  endeavored 
to  wrest  him  from  his  saddle.  They  both  fell  to 
earth ; the  Moor  placed  his  knee  upon  the  breast 
of  his  victim,  and,  brandishing  his  dagger,  aimed 
a blow  at  his  throat.  A cry  of  despair  was  ut- 
tered by  the  Christian  warriors,  when  suddenly 
they  beheld  the  Moor  rolling  lifeless  in  the  dust. 
Garcilasso  had  shortened  his  sword,  and,  as  his 
adversary  raised  his  arm  to  strike,  had  pierced 
him  to  the  heart.  “ It  was  a singular  and  mirac- 
ulous victory,”  says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  ; “ but 
the  Christian  knight  was  armed  by  the  sacred 
nature  of  his  cause,  and  the  holy  Virgin  gave 
him  strength,  like  another  David,  to  slay  this 
gigantic  champion  of  the  Gentiles.” 

The  laws  of  chivalry  were  observed  through- 


THE  QUEEN^S  SKIEMISH. 


579 


out  tlie  combat  — no  one  interfered  on  either  side 
Garcilasso  now  despoiled  his  adversary ; then, 
rescuing  the  holy  inscription  of  Ave  Maria  ” 
from  its  degrading  situation,  he  elevated  it  on  the 
point  of  his  sword,  and  bore  it  oif  as  a signal  of 
triumph,  amidst  the  rapturous  shouts  of  the 
Christian  army.  ^ 

The  sun  had  now  reached  the  meridian ; and 
the  hot  blood  of  the  Moors  was  inflamed  by  its 
rays,  and  by  the  sight  of  the  defeat  of  their 
champion.  Muza  ordered  two  pieces  of  ordnance 
to  open  a fire  upon  the  Christians.  A confusion 
was  produced  in  one  part  of  their  ranks : Muza 
called  to  the  chiefs  of  the  army,  Let  us  waste 
no  more  time  in  empty  challenges  — let  us  charge 
upon  the  enemy : he  who  assaults  has  always  an 
advantage  in  the  combat.”  So  saying,  he  rushed 
forward,  followed  by  a large  body  of  horse  and 
foot,  and  charged  so  furiously  upon  the  advance 
guard  of  the  Christians,  that  he  drove  it  in  upon 
the  battalion  of  the  marques  of  Cadiz. 

The  gallant  marques  now  considered  himself 
absolved  from  all  further  obedience  to  the  queen’s 
commands.  He  gave  the  signal  to  attack.  “ San- 
tiago ! ” was  shouted  along  the  line  ; and  he  pressed 
forward  to  the  encounter,  with  his  battalion  of 
twelve  hundred  lances.  The  other  cavaliers  fol- 
lowed his  example,  and  the  battle  instantly  be- 
came general. 

When  the  king  and  queen  beheld  the  armies 

1 The  above  incident  has  been  commemorated  in  old  Span- 
sh  ballads,  and  made  the  subject  of  a scene  in  an  old  Spanish 
trama,  ascribed  by  some  to  Lope  de  Vega. 


580 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


thus  rushing  to  the  combat,  they  threw  themselves 
on  their  knees,  and  implored  the  holy  Virgin  to 
protect  her  faithful  warriors.  The  prince  and 
princess,  the  ladies  of  the  court,  and  the  prelates 
and  friars  who  were  present,  did  the  same  ; and 
the  effect  of  the  prayers  of  these  illustrious  and 
saintly  persons,  was  immediately  apparent.  The 
fierceness  with  which  the  Moors  had  rushed  to  the 
attack  was  suddenly  cooled  ; they  were  bold  and 
adroit  for  a skirmish,  but  unequal  to  the  veteran 
Spaniards  in  the  open  field.  A panic  seized  upon 
the  foot-soldiers  — they  turned,  and  took  to  flight. 
Muza  and  his  cavaliers  in  vain  endeavored  to  rally 
them.  Some  took  refuge  in  the  mountains ; but 
the  greater  part  fled  to  the  city,  in  such  confusion 
that  they  overturned  and  trampled  upon  each 
other.  The  Christians  pursued  them  to  the  very 
gates.  Upwards  of  two  thousand  were  either 
killed,  wounded,  or  taken  prisoners ; and  the  two 
pieces  of  ordnance  were  brought  off  as  trophies 
of  the  victory.  Not  a Christian  lance  but  was 
bathed  that  day  in  the  blood  of  an  infidel.^ 

Such  was  the  brief  but  bloody  action,  which 
was  known  among  the  Christian  warriors  by  the 
name  of  “ the  queen’s  skirmish  ; ” for  when  the 
marques  of  Cadiz  waited  upon  her  majesty  to 
apologize  for  breaking  her  commands,  he  attributed 
the  victory  entirely  to  her  presence.  The  queen, 
however,  insisted  that  it  was  all  owing  to  her 
troops  being  led  on  by  so  valiant  a commander. 
Her  majesty  had  not  yet  recovered  from  her  agi- 
tation at  beholding  so  terrible  a scene  of  bloodshed  ; 

1 Cura  dt  los  Palacios^  cap.  101.  Ziirita,  lib.  20,  cap.  88. 


A JV'OCTU'jRJV'AL  SKIRMISH, 


581 


though  certaiu  veterans  present  pronounced  it  as 
gay  and  gentle  a skirmish  as  they  had  ever  wit- 
nessed. 

The  gayety  of  this  gentle  pass  at  arms,  how- 
ever, was  somewhat  marred  by  a rough  reverse 
in  the  evening.  Certain  of  the  Christian  cav- 
aliers, among  whom  were  the  count  de  Urena, 
Don  Alonzo  Aguilar,  his  brother  Gonsalvo  of 
Cordova,  Diego  Castrillo,  commander  of  Calatrava, 
and  others  to  the  number  of  fifty,  remained  in 
ambush  near  Armilla,  expecting  the  Moors  would 
sally  forth  at  night  to  visit  the  scene  of  battle 
and  to  bury  their  dead.  They  were  discovered 
by  a Moor,  who  had  climbed  an  elm-tree  to  re- 
connoiter,  and  hastened  into  the  city  to  give  notice 
of  their  ambush.  Scarce  had  night  fallen  when 
the  cavaliers  found  themselves  surrounded  by  a 
host  which  in  the  darkness  seemed  innumerable. 
The  Moors  attacked  them  with  sanguinary  fury, 
to  revenge  the  disgrace  of  the  morning.  The 
cavaliers  fought  to  every  disadvantage,  over- 
whelmed by  numbers,  ignorant  of  the  ground, 
perplexed  by  thickets  and  by  the  water-courses 
of  the  gardens,  the  sluices  of  which  were  all 
thrown  open.  Even  retreat  was  difficult.  The 
count  de  Urena  was  surrounded  and  in  imminent 
peril,  from  which  he  was  saved  by  two  of  his 
faithful  followers  at  the  sacrifice  of  their  lives. 
Several  cavaliers  lost  their  horses,  and  were  them- 
selves put  to  death  in  the  water-courses.  Gon- 
salvo of  Cordova  came  near  having  his  own  illus- 
trious career  cut  short  in  this  obscure  skirmish. 


582 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


He  had  fallen  into  a water-course,  whence  he  ex- 
tricated liimself,  covered  with  mud,  and  so  en- 
cumbered with  his  armor,  that  he  could  not  re- 
treat. Inigo  de  Mendoza,  a relative  of  his  brother 
Alonzo,  seeing  his  peril,  offered  him  his  horse: 

Take  it  Senor,”  said  he,  ‘‘  for  you  cannot  save 
yourself  on  foot,  and  I can : but  should  I fall,  take 
care  of  my  wife  and  daughters.’^ 

Gonsalvo  accepted  the  devoted  offer,  mounted 
the  horse,  and  had  made  but  few  paces,  when  a 
lamentable  cry  caused  him  to  turn  his  head,  and 
he  beheld  the  faithful  Mendoza  transfixed  by 
Moorish  lances.  The  four  principal  cavaliers  al- 
ready named,  with  several  of  their  followers,  ef- 
fected their  retreat  and  reached  the  camp  in  safety ; 
but  this  nocturnal  reverse  obscured  the  morning^s 
triumph.  Gonsalvo  remembered  the  last  words 
of  the  devoted  Mendoza,  and  bestowed  a pension 
on  his  widow  and  marriage  portions  on  his 
daughters.^ 

To  commemorate  the  victory  of  which  she  had 
been  an  eye-witness.  Queen  Isabella  afterwards 
erected  a monastery  in  the  village  of  Zubia,  ded- 
icated to  St.  Francisco,  which  still  exists,  and  in 
its  garden  is  a laurel  planted  by  her  hands.^ 

1 The  account  of  this  nocturnal  affair,  is  from  Peter  Martyr, 

lib.  4,  Epist.  90,  and  P ulgar,  del  Gran.  Captain,  page 

188,  as  cited  by  Alcantara,  Hist.  Granada,  tom.  4,  cap.  18. 

2 The  house  whence  the  king  and  queen  contemplated  the 
cattle,  is  likewise  to  be  seen  at  the  present  day.  It  is  the  first 
street  to  the  right  on  entering  the  village  from  the  vega;  and 
the  royal  arms  are  painted  on  the  ceilings.  It  is  inhabited  by 


A RELIC  OF  THE  CONQUEST.  583 


a worthy  tarmer,  Francisco  Garcia,  who  in  showing  the  house 
to  the  writer,  refused  all  compensation,  with  true  Spanish 
pride ; offering,  on  the  contrary,  the  hospitalities  of  his  mansion. 
His  children  are  versed  in  the  old  Spanish  ballads,  about  the 
exploits  of  Hernan  Perez  del  Pulgar  and  Garcilasso  de  la 
Vega. 


CHAPTER  XCIV. 

The  last  Ravage  before  Granada. 

HE  ravages  of  war  had  as  yet  spared  a 
little  portion  of  the  vega  of  Granada. 
A green  belt  of  gardens  and  orchards 
still  flourished  round  the  city,  extending  aloQg  the 
banks  of  the  Xenil  and  the  Darro.  They  had 
been  the  solace  and  delight  of  the  inhabitants  in 
.their  happier  days,  and  contributed  to  their  suste- 
nance in  this  time  of  scarcity.  Ferdinand  deter- 
mined to  make  a final  and  exterminating  ravage 
to  the  very  walls  of  the  city,  so  that  there  should 
not  remain  a single  green  thing  for  the  sustenance 
of  man  or  beast.  The  eighth  of  July  was  the 
day  appointed  for  this  act  of  desolation.  Boabdil 
was  informed  by  his  spies  of  the  intention  of  the 
Christian  king,  and  prepared  to  make  a desperate 
defense.  Hernando  de  Baeza,  a Christian,  who 
resided  with  the  royal  family  in  the  Alhambra  as 
interpreter,  gives  in  a manuscript  memoir  an 
account  of  the  parting  of  Boabdil  from  his  family 
as  he  went  forth  to  battle.  At  an  early  hour  of 
the  appointed  day,  the  eighth  of  July,  he  bathed 
and  perfumed  himself  as  the  Moors  of  high  rank 
were  accustomed  to  do  when  they  went  forth  to 
peril  their  lives.  Arrayed  in  complete  armor  he 
took  leave  of  his  mother,  his  wife,  and  his  sister, 


THE  LAST  RAVAGE, 


585 


in  the  ante-chamber  of  the  tower  of  Comares. 
Ayxa  la  Horra,  with  her  usual  dignity,  bestowed 
on  him  her  benediction,  and  gave  him  her  hand 
to  kiss.  It  was  a harder  parting  with  his  son  and 
his  daughter,  who  hung  round  him  with  sobs  and 
tears ; the  duenas  and  doncellas  too,  of  the  royal 
household,  made  the  halls  of  the  Alhambra  re- 
sound with  their  lamentations.  He  then  mounted 
his  horse  and  put  himself  in  front  of  his  squad- 
rons.^ 

The  Christian  army  approached  close  to  the 
city,  and  were  laying  waste  the  gardens  and  or- 
chards, when  Boabdil  sallied  forth,  surrounded 
by  all  that  was  left  of  the  flower  and  chivalry  of 
Granada.  There  is  one  place  where  even  the 
coward  becomes  brave  — that  sacred  spot  called 
home.  What  then  must  have  been  the  valor  of 
the  Moors,  a people  always  of  chivalrous  spirit, 
when  the  war  was  thus  brought  to  their  thresh- 
olds ! They  fought  among  the  scenes  of  their 
loves  and  pleasures,  the  scenes  of  their  infancy, 
and  the  haunts  of  their  domestic  life.  They 
•fought  under  the  eyes  of  their  wives  and  child- 
ren, their  old  men  and  their  maidens,  of  all  that 
was  helpless  and  all  that  was  dear  to  them ; 
for  all  Granada,  crowded  on  tower  and  battle- 
ment, watched  with  trembling  heart  the  fate  of  this 
eventful  day. 

There  was  not  so  much  one  battle,  as  a variety 
of  battles ; every  garden  and  orchard  became  a 
scene  of  deadly  contest ; every  inch  of  ground 

1 Hernando  de  Baeza,  as  cited  by  Alcantara,  Hist.  Gi'O^ 
nada^  tom.  4,  cap.  18. 


586 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


was  disputed,  with  an  agony  of  grief  and  valo*r,  by 
the  Moors ; every  inch  of  ground  that  the  Chris- 
tians advanced,  they  valiantly  maintained ; but 
never  did  they  advance  with  severer  fighting,  or 
greater  loss  of  blood. 

The  cavalry  of  Muza  was  in  every  part  of  the 
field  ; wherever  it  came,  it  gave  fresh  ardor 
to  the  fiofht.  The  Moorish  soldier,  faintino:  with 
heat,  fatigue,  and  wounds,  was  roused  to  new  life 
at  the  approach  of  Muza;  and  even  he  wdio  lay 
gasping  in  the  agonies  of  death,  turned  his  face 
towards  him,  and  faintly  uttered  cheers  and  bless- 
ings as  he  passed. 

The  Christians  had  by  this  time  gained  posses- 
sion of  various  towers  near  the  city,  whence  they 
had  been  annoyed  by  cross-bows  and  arquebuses. 
The  Moors,  scattered  in  various  actions,  were  se- 
verely pressed.  Boabdil,  at  the  head  of  the  cav- 
aliers of  his  guard,  mingling  in  the  fight  in  various 
parts  of  the  field,  endeavored  to  inspirit  the  foot- 
soldiers  to  the  combat.  But  the  Moorish  infantry 
was  never  to  be  depended  upon.  In  the  heat  of 
the  action,  a panic  seized  upon  them  ; they  fled, 
leaving  their  sovereign  exposed  with  his  handful 
of  cavaliers  to  an  overwhelming  force.  Boabdil 
was  on  the  point  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
Christians,  when,  wheeling  round,  he  and  his  fol- 
lowers threw  the  reins  on  the  necks  of  their 
steeds,  and  took  refuge  by  dint  of  hoof  within 
the  walls  of  the  city.^ 

Muza  endeavored  to  retrieve  the  fortune  of  the 
field.  He  threw  himself  before  the  retreating 
1 Zurita,  lib.  20,  cap.  88. 


THE  LAST  SALLY  OF  THE  MOORS.  587 


infantry,  calling  upon  them  to  turn  and  fight  for 
their  homes,  their  families,  for  everything  sacred 
and  dear  to  them.  All  in  vain : totally  broken 
and  dismayed,  they  fled  tumultuously  for  the 
gates.  Muza  would  fain  have  kept  the  field  with 
his  cavalry ; but  this  devoted  band,,  having  stood 
the  brunt  of  war  throughout  this  desperate  cam- 
paign, was  fearfully  reduced  in  numbers,  and 
many  of  the  survivors  were  crippled  and  enfee- 
bled by  their  wounds.  Slowly  and  reluctantly, 

therefore,  he  retreated  to  the  city,  his  bosom 
swelling  with  indignation  and  despair.  Entering 
the  gates,  he  ordered  them  to  be  closed,  and  se- 
cured with  bolts  and  bars : for  he  refused  to  place 
any  further  confidence  in  the  archers  and  arque- 
busiers  stationed  to  defend  them,  and  vowed  never 
more  to  sally  with  foot  soldiers  to  the  field. 

In  the  mean  time  the  artillery  thundered  from 
the  walls,  and  checked  all  further  advance  of  the 
Christians.  King  Ferdinand,  therefore,  called  off 
his  troops,  and  returned  in  triumph  to  the  ruins 
of  his  camp,  leaving  the  beautiful  city  of  Granada 
wrapped  in  the  smoke  of  her  fields  and  gardens, 
and  surrounded  by  the  bodies  of  her  slaughtered 
children. 

Such  was  the  last  sally  of  the  Moors,  in  de- 
fense of  their  favorite  city.  The  French  ambas- 
sador, who  witnessed  it,  was  filled  with  wonder, 
at  the  prowess,  the  dexterity,  and  daring  of  the 
Moslems. 

In  truth,  this  whole  war  was  an  instance, 
memorable  in  history,  of  the  most  persevering 
resolution.  For  nearly  ten  years  had  the  war  en 


588 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


dured  — an  almost  uninterrupted  series  of  disas- 
ters to  the  Moorish  arms.  Their  towns  had  been 
taken,  one  after  another,  and  their  brethren  slain 
or  led  into  captivity.  Yet  they  disputed  every 
city  and  town,  and  fortress  and  castle,  nay  every 
rock  itself,  as  if  they  had  been  inspirited  by  vic- 
tories. Wherever  they  could  plant  foot  to  fight, 
or  find  wall  or  cliff  whence  to  launch  an  arrow, 
they  disputed  their  beloved  country  ; and  now, 
when  tlieir  capital  was  cut  off  from  all  relief,  and 
a whole  nation  thundered  at  its  gates,  they  still 
maintained  defense,  as  if  they  hoped  some  miracle 
to  interpose  in  their  behalf.  Their  obstinate  re- 
sistance (says  an  ancient  chronicler)  shows  the 
grief  with  which  they  yielded  up  the  vega,  which 
was  to  them  a paradise  and  heaven.  Exerting 
all  the  strength  of  their  arms,  they  embraced,  as 
it  were,  that  most  beloved  soil,  from  which 
neither  wounds,  nor  defeats,  nor  death  itself, 
could  part  them.  They  stood  firm,  battling  for 
it  with  the  united  force  of  love  and  grief,  never 
drawing  back  the  foot  while  they  had  hands  to 
fight,  or  fortune  to  befriend  them.^ 

1 Abarca,  Reyes  de  Aragon^  R.  30.  cap,  3. 


CHAPTER  XCV. 

Conflagration  of  the  Christian  Camp. — Building  of  Santa  F^. 

HE  Moors  now  shut  themselves  up 
gloomily  within  their  walls  ; there  were 
no  longer  any  daring  sallies  from  their 
gates ; and  even  the  martial  clangor  of  the  drum 
and  trumpet,  which  had  continually  resounded 
within  that  warrior  city,  was  now  seldom  heard 
from  its  battlements.  In  the  midst  of  this  deep 
despondency,  a signal  disaster  in  the  Christian 
camp,  for  a moment  lit  up  a ray  of  hope  in  the 
bosom' of  theMoors. 

The  setting  sun  of  a hot  summer’s  day,  on  the 
10th  of  July,  shone  splendidly  upon  the  Christian 
camp,  which  was  in  a bustle  of  preparation  for  the 
next  day’s  service,  when  an  attack  was  meditated 
on  the  city.  The  camp  made  a glorious  appear- 
ance. The  various  tents  of  the  royal  family  and 
the  attendant  nobles  were  adorned  with  rich  hang- 
ings, and  sumptuous  devices,  and  costly  furniture ; 
forming  as  it  were,  a little  city  of  silk  and  brocade, 
where  the  pinnacles  of  pavilions  of  various  gay 
colors,  surmounted  with  waving  standards  and 
fluttering  pennons,  might  vie  with  the  domes  and 
minarets  of  the  capital  they  were  besieging. 

In  the  midst  of  this  little  gaudy  metropolis,  the 


590 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


lofty  tent  of  the  queen  domineered  over  the  rest 
like  a stately  palace.  The  marques  of  Cadiz  had 
courteously  surrendered  his  own  tent  to  the  queen. 
It  was  the  most  complete  and  sumptuous  in  Chris- 
tendom, and  had  been  carried  about  with  him 
throughout  the  war.  In  the  centre  rose  a stately 
alfaneque  or  pavilion,  in  oriental  taste,  the . rich 
hangings  being  supported  by  columns  of  lances, 
and  ornamented  with  martial  devices.  This  cen- 
tral pavilion,  or  silken  tower,  was  surrounded  by 
other  compartments,  some  of  painted  linen  lined 
with  silk,  and  all  separated  from  each  other  by 
curtains.  It  was  one  of  those  camp  palaces 
which  are  raised  and  demolished  in  an  instant, 
like  the  city  of  canvas  which  surrounds  them. 

As  the  evening  advanced,  the  bustle  in  the 
camp  subsided.  Every  one  sought  repose,  pre- 
paratory to  the  next  day’s  trial.  The  king  retired 
early,  that  he  might  be  up  with  the  crowing  of 
the  cock,  to  head  the  destroying  army  in  person. 
All  stir  of  military  preparation  was  hushed  in 
the  royal  quarters ; the  very  sound  of  minstrelsy 
was  mute,  and  not  the  tinkling  of  a guitar  was  to 
be  heard  from  the  tents  of  the  fair  ladies  of  the 
court. 

The  queen  had  retired  to  the  innermost  part 
of  her  pavilion,  where  she  was  performing  her 
orisons  before  a private  altar;  perhaps  the  peril 
to  which  the  king  might  be  exposed  in  the  next 
day’s  foray,  inspired  her  with  more  than  usual  de- 
votion. While  thus  at  her  prayers,  she  was  sud- 
denly aroused  by  a glare  of  light,  and  wreaths  of 
suffocating  smoke.  In  an  instant,  the  whole  tent 


CONFLAGRATION  OF  THE  CAMP.  591 


was  in  a blaze  ; there  was  a high  gusty  wind, 
which  whirled  the  light  flames  from  tent  to  tent, 
and  wrapped  the  whole  in  one  conflagration. 

Isabella  had  barely  time  to  save  herself  by  in- 
stant flight.  Her  first  thought,  on  being  extrica- 
ted from  her  tent,  was  for  the  safety  of  the  king. 
She  rushed  to  his  tent,  but  the  vigilant  Ferdi- 
nand was  already  at  the  entrance  of  it.  Starting 
from  bed  on  the  first  alarm,  and  fancying  it  an 
assault  of  the  enemy,  he  had  seized  his  sword  and 
buckler,  and  sallied  forth  undressed,  with  his  cui- 
rass upon  his  arm.' 

The  late  gorgeous  camp  was  now  a scene  of 
wild  confusion.  The  flames  kept  spreading  from 
one  pavilion  to  another,  glaring  upon  the  rich 
armor,  and  golden  and  silver  vessels,  which 
seemed  melting  in  the  fervent  heat.  Many  of 
the  soldiers  had  erected  booths  and  bowers  of 
branches,  which,  being  dry,  crackled  and  blazed, 
and  added  to  the  rapid  conflagration.  The  ladies 
of  the  court  fled,  shrieking  and  half-dressed,  from 
their  tents.  There  was  an  alarm  of  drum  and 
trumpet,  and  a distracted  hurry  about  the  camp 
of  men  half  armed.  The  prince  Juan  had  been 
snatched  out  of  bed  by  an  attendant,  and  con- 
veyed to  the  quarters  of  the  count  de  Cabra, 
which  were  at  the  entrance  of  the  camp.  The 
loyal  count  immediately  summoned  his  people, 
and  those  of  his  cousin  Don  Alonzo  de  Monte- 
mayor,  and  formed  a guard  round  the  tent  in 
which  the  prince  was  sheltered. 

The  idea  that  this  was  a stratagem  of  the 
Moors,  soon  subsided ; but  it  was  feared  they 


692 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


might  take  advantage  of  it,  to  assault  the  camp. 
The  marques  of  Cadiz,  therefore,  sallied  forth 
with  three  thousand  horse,  to  check  any^  advance 
from  the  city.  As  they  passed  along,  the  whole 
camp  was  a scene  of  hurry  and  consternation  — 
some  hastening  to  their  posts,  at  the  call  of  drum 
and  trumpet ; some  attempting  to  save  rich  effects 
and  glittering  armor  from  the  tents,  others  drag- 
ging along  terrified  and  restive  horses. 

When  they  emerged  from  the  camp,  they  found 
the  whole  firmament  illuminated.  The  flames 
whirled  up  in  long  light  spires,  and  the  air  was 
filled  with  sparks  and  cinders.  A bright  glare 
was  thrown  upon  the  city,  revealing  every  battle- 
ment and  tower.  Turbaned  heads  were  seen  gaz- 
ing from  every  roof,  and  armor  gleamed  along 
the  walls  ; yet  not  a single  warrior  sallied  from 
the  gates:  the  Moors  suspected  some  stratagem 
on  the  part  of  the  Christians,  and  kept  quietly 
within  their  walls.  By  degrees,  the  flames  ex- 
pired ; the  city  faded  from  sight ; all  again  be- 
came dark  and  quiet,  and  the  marques  of  Cadiz 
returned  with  his  cavalry  to  the  camp. 

When  the  day  dawned  on  the  Christian  camp, 
nothing  remained  of  that  beautiful  assemblage  of 
stately  pavilions,  but  heaps  of  smouldering  rub- 
bish, with  helms  and  corselets  and  other  furniture 
of  war,  and  masses  of  melted  gold  and  silver  glit- 
tering among  the  ashes.  The  wardrobe  of  the 
queen  was  entirely  destroyed,  and  there  was  an 
immense  loss  in  plate,  jewels,  costly  stuffs,  and 
sumptuous  armor  of  the  luxurious  nobles.  The 
fire  at  first  had  been  attributed  to  treachery,  but 


HOPES  OF  THE  MOORS. 


593 


on  investigation  it  proved  to  be  entirely  acci- 
dental. The  queen,  on  retiring  to  her  prayers, 
had  ordered  her  lady  in  attendance  to  remove  a 
light  burning  near  her  couch,  lest  it  should  pre- 
vent her  sleeping.  Through  heedlessness,  the 
taper  was  placed  in  another  part  of  the  tent,  near 
(he  hangings,  which  being  blown  against  it  by  a 
gust  of  wind,  immediately  took  fire. 

The  wary  Ferdinand  knew  the  sanguine  tem- 
perament of  the  Moors,  and  hastened  to  prevent 
their  deriving  confidence  from  the  night’s  disaster. 
At  break  of  day,  the  drums  and  trumpets  sounded 
to  arms,  and  the  Christian  army  issued  forth  from 
among  the  smoking  ruins  of  their  camp,  in  shin- 
ing squadrons,  with  flaunting  banners  and  bursts 
of  martial  melody,  as  though  the  preceding  night 
had  been  a time  of  high  festivity,  instead  of 
terror. 

The  Moors  had  beheld  the  conflagration  with 
wonder  and  perplexity.  When  the  day  broke, 
and  they  looked  towards  the  Christian  camp,  they 
saw  nothing  but  a dark,  smoking  mass.  Their 
scouts  came  in  with  the  joyful  intelligence  that 
the  whole  camp  was  a scene  of  ruin.  In  the 
exultation  of  the  moment,  they  flattered  them- 
selves with  hopes  that  the  catastrophe  would 
discourage  the  besiegers ; that  as  in  former  years, 
their  invasion  would  end  with  the  summer  and 
they  would  withdraw  before  the  autumnal  rains. 

The  measures  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  soon 
crushed  these  hopes.  They  gave  orders  to  build 
a regular  city  upon  the  site  of  their  camp,  to  con- 
vince the  Moors  that  the  siege  was  to  endure 
38 


594 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


until  the  surrender  of  Granada.  Nine  of  the 
principal  cities  of  Spain  were  charged  with  this 
stupendous  undertaking ; and  they  emulated  each 
other,  with  a zeal  worthy  of  the  cause.  “ It 
verily  seems,”  says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida,  “ as 
though  some  miracle  operated  to  aid  this  pious 
work,  so  rapidly  did  arise  a formidable  city,  with 
solid  edifices,  and  powerful  walls,  and  mighty 
towers,  where  lately  had  been  seen  nothing  but 
tents  and  light  pavilions.  The  city  was  trav- 
ersed by  two  principal  streets  in  form  of  a 
cross,  terminating  in  four  gates  facing  the  four 
winds ; and  in  the  centre  was  a vast  square, 
where  the  whole  army  might  be  assembled.  To 
this  city  it  was  proposed  to  give  the  name  of 
Isabella,  so  dear  to  the  army  and  the  nation ; 
“ but  that  pious  princess,”  adds  Antonio  Agapida, 
“ calling  to  mind  the  holy  cause  in  which  it  was 
erected,  gave  it  the  name  of  Santa  Fe  (or  the 
City  of  the  Holy  Faith)  ; and  it  remains  to  this 
day,  a monument  of  the  piety  and  glory  of  the 
Catholic  sovereigns.” 

Hither  the  merchants  soon  resorted,  from  all 
points.  Long  trains  of  mules  were  seen  every 
day  entering  and  departing  from  its  gates ; the 
streets  were  crowded  with  magazines,  filled  with 
all  kinds  of  costly  and  luxurious  merchandise  ; a 
scene  of  bustling  commerce  and  prosperity  took 
place,  while  unhappy  Granada  remained  shut  up 
ftnd  desolate. 


CHAPTER  XCVI. 

Famine  and  Discord  in  the  City. 


HE  besieged  city  now  began  to  suffer  the 
distress  of  famine.  Its  supplies  were  all 
cut  off ; a cavalgada  of  flocks  and  herds, 
and  mules  laden  with  money,  coming  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  city  from  the  mountains  of  the  Alpux- 
arras,  was  taken  by  the  marques  of  Cadiz,  and 
led  in  triumph  to  the  camp,  in  sight  of  the  suffer- 
ing Moors.  Autumn  arrived;  but  the  harvests 
had  been  swept  from  the  face  of  the  country  ; a 
rigorous  winter  was  approaching,  and  the  city 
was  almost  destitute  of  provisions.  The  people 
sank  into  deep  despondency.  They  called  to  mind 
all  that  had  been  predicted  by  astrologers  at 
the  birth  of  their  ill-starred  sovereign,  and  all 
that  had  been  foretold  of  the  fate  of  Granada  at 
the  time  of  the  capture  of  Zahara. 

Boabdil  was  alarmed  by  the  gathering  dangers 
from  without,  and  by  the  clamors  of  his  starving 
people.  He  summoned  a council,  composed  of 
the  principal  officers  of  the  army,  the  alcaydes 
of  the  fortresses,  the  xequis  or  sages  of  the  city, 
and  the  alfaquis  or  doctors  of  the  faith.  They 
assembled  in  the  great  hall  of  audience  of  the 
Alhambra,  and  despair  was  painted  in  their  coun- 
tenances. Boabdil  demanded  of  them,  what  was 


596 


CONaUEST  OF  GRAJSAua. 


to  be  done  in  the  present  extremity  ; and  their 
answer  was,  Surrender.”  The  venerable  Abul 
Cazim,  governor  of  the  city,  represented  its 
unhappy  state  : “Our  granaries  are  nearly  ex- 
hausted, and  no  further  supplies  are  to  be  ex- 
pected. The  provender  for  the  war-horses  is 
required  as  sustenance  for  the  soldiery  ; the  very 
horses  themselves  are  killed  for  food ; of  seven 
thousand  steeds  which  once  could  be  sent  into 
the  field,  three  hundred  only  remain.  Our  city 
contains  two  hundred  thousand  inhabitants,  old 
and  young,  with  each  a mouth  that  calls  piteously 
for  bread.” 

The  xequis  and  principal  citizens  declared  that 
the  people  could  no  longer  sustain  the  labors  and 
Bufferings  of  a defense  : “And  of  what  avail  is 
our  defense,”  said  they,  “ when  the  enemy  is  de- 
termined to  persist  in  the  siege  ? — what  alter- 
native remains,  but  to  surrender  or  to  die  ? ” 

The  heart  of  Boabdil  was  touched  by  this 
appeal,  and  he  maintained  a gloomy  silence.  He 
had  cherished  some  faint  hope  of  relief  from  the 
soldan  of  Egypt  or  the  Barbary  powers  ; but  it 
was  now  at  an  end ; even  if  such  assistance  were 
to  be  sent,  he  had  no  longer  a seaport  where  it 
might  debark.  The  counselors  saw  that  the  res- 
olution of  the  king  was  shaken,  and  they  united 
their  voices  in  urging  him  to  capitulate. 

Muza  alone  rose  in  opposition  : “ It  is  yet  too 
early,”  said  he,  “ to  talk  of  a surrender.  Our 
means  are  not  exhausted  ; we  have  yet  one  source 
of  strength  remaining,  terrible  in  its  effects,  and 
which  often  has  achieved  the  most  signal  victories 


MISSION  OF  ABUL  CAZIM. 


597 


■ — it  is  our  despair.  Let  us  rouse  the  mass  of 
the  people ; let  us  put  weapons  in  their  hands ; 
let  us  fight  the  enemy  to  the  very  utmost,  until 
we  rush  upon  the  points  of  their  lances.  I am 
ready  to  lead  the  way  into  the  thickest  of  their 
squadrons  ; and  much  rather  would  I be  num- 
bered among  those  who  fell  in  the  defense  of 
Granada,  than  of  those  who  survived  to  capitu- 
late for  her  surrender  ! ” 

The  words  of  Muza  were  without  effect,  for 
they  were  addressed  to  broken-spirited  and  heart- 
less men,  or  men,  perhaps,  to  whom  sad  expe- 
rience had  taught  discretion.  They  were  arrived 
at  that  state  of  public  depression,  when  heroes 
and  heroism  are  no  longer  regarded,  and  when 
old  men  and  their  counsels  rise  into  importance. 
Boabdil  el  Chico  yielded  to  the  general  voice ; it 
was  determined  to  capitulate  with  the  Christian 
sovereigns ; and  the  venerable  Abul  Cazira  was 
sent  forth  to  the  camp,  empowered  to  treat  for 
terms. 


I 


CHAPTER  XCVIL 

Capitulation  of  Granada. 

HE  old  governor  Abul  Cazim  was  re-* 
ceived  with  great  courtesy  by  Ferdi* 
nand  and  Isabella,  who  being  informed 
of  the  purport  of  his  embassy,  granted  the  be- 
sieged a truce  of  sixty  days  from  the  5th  of  Oc- 
tober, and  appointed  Gonsalvo  of  Cordova,  and 
Fernando  de  Zafra,  the  secretary  of  the  king,  to 
treat  about  the  terms  of  surrender  with  such 
commissioners  as  might  be  named  by  Boabdil. 
The  latter  on  his  part  named  Abul  Cazim,  Aben 
Comixa  the  vizier,  and  the  grand  cadi.  As  a 
pledge  of  good  faith,  Boabdil  gave  his  son  in 
hostage,  who  was  taken  to  Moclin,  where  he  was 
treated  with  the  greatest  respect  and  attention  by 
the  good  count  de  Tendilla,  as  general  of  the 
frontier. 

The  commissioners  on  both  parts  held  repeated 
conferences  in  secret  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  at 
the  village  of  Churriana  — those  who  first  arrived 
at  the  place  of  meeting  giving  notice  to  the 
others  by  signal -fires,  or  by  means  of  spies. 
After  many  debates  and  much  difficulty,  the  ca- 
pitulation was  signed  on  the  25th  of  November. 
According  to  this,  the  city  was  to  be  delivered 


ARTICLES  OF  CAPITULATION.  599 


up,  with  all  its  gates,  towers,  and  fortresses, 
within  sixty  days. 

All  Christian  captives  should  be  liberated, 
without  ransom. 

Boabdil  and  his  principal  cavaliers  should  per- 
form the  act  of  homage,  and  take  an  oath  of 
fealty  to  the  Castilian  crown. 

The  Moors  of  Granada  should  become  subjects 
of  the  Spanish  sovereigns,  retaining  their  pos- 
sessions, their  arms  and  horses,  and  yielding  up 
nothing  but  their  artillery.  They  should  be  pro- 
tected in  the  exercise  of  their  religion,  and  gov- 
erned by  their  own  laws,  administered  by  cadis 
of  their  own  faith,  under  governors  appointed  by 
the  sovereigns.  They  should  be  exempted  from 
tribute  for  three  years,  after  which  term  they 
should  pay  the  same  that  they  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  render  to  their  native  monarchs. 

Those  who  chose  to  depart  for  Africa  within 
three  years,  should  be  provided  with  a passage 
for  themselves  and  their  effects,  free  of  charge, 
from  whatever  port  they  should  prefer. 

For  the  fulfillment  of  these  articles,  five  hun- 
dred hostages  from  the  principal  families  were  re- 
quired, previous  to  the  surrender,  who  should  be 
treated  with  great  respect  and  distinction  by  the 
Christians,  and  subsequently  restored.  The  son 
of  the  king  of  Granada,  and  all  other  hostages 
in  possession  of  the  Castilian  sovereigns,  were  to 
be  restored  at  the  same  time. 

Such  are  the  main  articles  affecting  the  public 
weal,  which  were  agreed  upon  after  much  discus- 
sion by  the  mixed  commission.  There  were  other 


600 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


articles,  however,  secretly  arranged,  which  con- 
cerned the  royal  family.  These  secured  to  Boabdil, 
to  his  wife  Moray  ma,  his  mo  their  Ayxa,  his 
brothers,  and  to  Zoraya,  the  widow  of  Muley  Abul 
Hassan,  all  the  landed  possessions,  houses,  mills, 
baths,  and  other  hereditaments  which  formed  the 
]’oyal  patrimony,  with  the  power  of  selling  them 
personally  or  by  agent,  at  any  and  all  times.  To 
Boabdil  was  secured,  moreover,  his  wealthy  estates, 
both  in  and  out  of  Granada,  and  to  him  and  his 
descendants  in  perpetuity,  the  lordships  of  various 
towns  and  lands  and  fertile  valleys  in  the  Alpux- 
arras,  forming  a petty  sovereignty.  In  addition 
to  all  which  it  was  stipulated,  that,  on  the  day 
of  surrender,  he  should  receive  thirty  thousand 
Castellanos  of  gold.^ 

The  conditions  of  the  surrender  being  finally 
agreed  upon  by  the  commissioners,  Abul  Cazim 
proceeded  to  the  royal  camp  at  Santa  Fe,  where 
they  were  signed  by  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  ; he 
then  returned  to  Granada,  accompanied  by  Fer- 
nando de  Zafra,  the  royal  secretary,  to  have  the 
same  ratified  also  by  the  Moorish  king.  Boabdil 
assembled  his  council,  and  with  a dejected  coun- 
tenance laid  before  it  the  articles  of  capitulation 
as  the  best  that  could  be  obtained  from  the  be- 
sieging foe. 

When  the  members  of  the  council  found  the 
awful  moment  arrived  when  they  were  to  sign  and 
seal  the  perdition  of  their  empire,  and  blot  them- 
selves out  as  a nation,  all  firmness  deserted  them, 
and  many  gave  way  to  tears.  Muza  alone  retained 
1 Alcantara,  tom.  4,  cap.  18. 


MUZA  AND  BOABDIL. 


601 


an  unaltered  mien : ‘‘  Leave,  seniors,”  cried  he, 
this  idle  lamentation  to  helpless  women  and 
children:  we  are  men  — we  have  hearts,  not  to 
shed  tender  tears,  but  drops  of  blood.  I see  the 
spirit  of  the  people  so  cast  down,  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  save  the  kingdom.  Yet  there  still 
remains  an  alternative  for  noble  minds  — a glo- 
rious death  ! Let  us  die  defending  our  liberty, 
and  avenging  the  woes  of  Granada.  Our  mother 
earth  will  receive  her  children  into  her  bosom, 
safe  from  the  chains  and  oppressions  of  the  con- 
queror ; or,  should  any  fail  a sepulchre  to  hide 
his  remains,  he  will  not  want  a sky  to  cover  him. 
Allah  forbid  it  should  be  said  the  nobles  of  Gra- 
nada feared  to  die  in  her  defense ! ” 

Muza  ceased  to  speak,  and  a dead  silence 
reigned  in  the  assembly.  Boabdil  looked  anx- 
iously round,  and  scanned  every  face ; but  he 
read  in'  all  the  anxiety  of  care-worn  men,  in 
whose  hearts  enthusiasm  was  dead,  and  who  had 
grown  callous  to  every  chivalrous  appeal.  ‘‘  Al- 
lah Achbar  ! ” exclaimed  he  ; “ there  is  no  God 
but  God,  and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet ! We  have 
no  longer  forces  in  the  city  and  the  kingdom  to 
resist  our  powerful  enemies.  It  is  in  vain  to 
struggle  against  the  will  of  Heaven.  Too  surely 
was  it  written  in  the  book  of  fate,  that  I should 
be  unfortunate,  and  the  kingdom  expire  under 
my  rule.” 

‘‘  Allah  Achbar ! ” echoed  the  viziers  and  al- 
faquis ; “ the  will  of  God  be  done  ! ” So  they  all 
agreed  with  the  king,  that  these  evils  were  pre- 
ordained ; that  it  was  hopeless  to  contend  with 


602 


CONQUEST  OF  GKaNADA. 


them  ; and  that  the  terms  offered  by  the  Castil- 
ian monarchs  were  as  favorable  as  could  be  ex- 
pected. 

When  Muza  heard  them  assent  to  the  treaty 
of  surrender,  he  rose  in  violent  indignation  : “ Do 
not  deceive  yourselves,”  cried  he,  ‘‘  nor  think  the 
Christians  will  be  faithful  to  their  promises,  or 
their  king  as  magnanimous  in  conquest  as  he  has 
been  victorious  in  war.  Death  is  the  least  we 
have  to  fear.  It  is  the  plundering  and  sacking 
of  our  city,  the  profanation  of  our  mosques,  the 
ruin  of  our  homes,  the  violation  of  our  wives  and 
daughters,  cruel  oppression,  bigoted  intolerance, 
whips  and  chains,  the  dungeon,  the  fagot,  and  the 
stake  — such  are  the  miseries  and  indignities  we 
shall  see  and  suffer ; at  least,  those  groveling 
souls  will  see  and  suffer  them,  who  now  shrink 
from  an  honorable  death.  For  my  part,  by  Al- 
lah, I will  never  witness  them ! ” 

With  these  words  he  left  the  council-chamber, 
and  passed  gloomily  through  the  Court  of  Lions, 
and  the  outer  halls  of  the  Alhambra,  without 
deigning  to  speak  to  the  obsequious  courtiers  who 
attended  in  them.  He  repaired  to  his  dwelling, 
armed  himself  at  all  points,  mounted  his  favorite 
war-horse,  and,  issuing  from  the  city  by  the  gate 
of  Elvira,  was  never  seen  or  heard  of  more.^ 


1 Conde,  pt.  4. 


CHAPTER  XCVIII. 

Commotions  m Granada. 


HE  capitulation  for  the  surrender  of 
Granada  was  signed  on  the  25th  of  No- 
vember, 1491,  and  produced  a sudden 
cessation  of  those  hostilities  which  had  raged  for  so 
many  years.  Christian  and  Moor  might  now  be 
seen  mingling  courteously  on  the  banks  of  the 
Xenil  and  the  Harrow,  where  to  have  met  a few 
days  previous  would  have  produced  a scene  of 
sanguinary  contest.  Still,  as  the  Moors  might  be 
suddenly  roused  to  defense,  if,  within  the  allotted 
term  of  sixty  days,  succors  should  arrive  from 
abroad ; and  as  they  were  at  all  times  a rash,  in- 
flammable people,  the  wary  Ferdinand  maintained 
a vigilant  watch  upon  the  city,  and  permitted  no 
supplies  of  any  kind  to  enter.  His  garrisons  in 
the  seaports,  and  his  cruisers  in  the  Straits  of 
Gibraltar,  were  ordered  likewise  to  guard  against 
any  relief  from  the  grand  soldan  of  Egypt  or  the 
princes  of  Barbary.  There  was  no  need  of  such 
precautions.  Those  powers  were  either  too  much 
engrossed  by  their  own  wars,  or  too  much  daun- 
ted by  the  success  of  the  Spanish  arms,  to  inter- 
fere in  a desperate  cause  ; and  the  unfortunate 
Moors  of  Granada  were  abandoned  to  their  fate. 


604 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


The  month  of  December  had  nearly  passed 
away ; the  famine  became  extreme,  and  there  was 
no  hope  of  any  favorable  event  within  the  term 
specified  in  the  capitulation.  Boabdil  saw,  that 
to  hold  out  to  the  end  of  the  allotted  time  would 
but  be  to  protract  the  miseries  of  his  people. 
With  the  consent  of  his  council,  he  determined  to 
surrender  the  city  on  the  sixth  of  January.  He 
accordingly  sent  his  grand  vizier,  Yusef  Aben 
Comixa,  to  King  Ferdinand,  to  make  known  his 
intention ; bearing  him,  at  the  same  time,  a pres- 
ent of  a magnificent  scimetar,  and  two  Arabian 
steeds  superbly  caparisoned. 

The  unfortunate  Boabdil  was  doomed  to  meet 
with  trouble,  to  the  end  of  his  career.  The  very 
next  day,  the  santon  or  dervise,  Hamet  Aben  Zar- 
rax,  the  same  who  had  uttered  prophecies  and  ex- 
cited commotion  on  former  occasions,  suddenly 
made  his  appearance.  Whence  he  came  no  one 
knew ; it  was  rumored  that  he  had  been  in  the 
mountains  of  the  Alpuxarras,  and  on  the  coast  of 
Barbary,  endeavoring  to  rouse  the  Moslems  to  the 
relief  of  Granada.  He  was  reduced  to  a skeleton  ; 
his  eyes  glowed  like  coals  in  their  sockets,  and  his 
speech  was  little  better  than  frantic  raving.  He 
harangued  the  populace,  in  the  streets  and 
squares  ; inveighed  against  the  capitulation,  de- 
nounced the  king  and  nobles  as  Moslems  only  in 
name,  and  called  upon  the  people  to  sally  forth 
against  the  unbelievers,  for  that  Allah  had  de- 
creed them  a signal  victory. 

Upwards  of  twenty  thousand  of  the  populace 
seized  their  arms,  and  paraded  the  streets  with 


COMMOTION  IN  GRANADA, 


605 


shouts  and  outcries.  The  shops  and  houses  were 
shut  up  ; the  king  himself  did  not  dare  to  venture 
forth,  but  remained  a kind  of  prisoner  in  the  Al- 
hambra. 

The  turbulent  multitude  continued  roaming  and 
shouting  and  howling  about  the  city,  during  the 
day  and  a part  of  the  night.  Hunger,  and  a 
wintry  tempest,  tamed  their  frenzy ; and  when 
morning  came,  the  enthusiast  who  had  led  them 
on  had  disappeared.  Whether  he  had  been  dis- 
posed of  by  the  emissaries  of  the  king,  or  by  the 
leading  men  of  the  city,  is  not  known ; his  disap- 
pearance remains  a mystery 

Boabdil  now  issued  forth  from  the  Alhambra, 
attended  by  his  principal  nobles,  and  harangued 
the  populace.  He  set  forth  the  necessity  of  com- 
plying with  the  capitulation,  from  the  famine  that 
reigned  in  the  city,  the  futility  of  defense,  and 
from  the  hostages  having  already  been  delivered 
into  the  hands  of  the  besiegers. 

In  the  dejection  of  his  spirits,  the  unfortunate 
Boabdil  attributed  to  himself  the  miseries  of  the 
country.  It  was  my  crime  in  ascending  the 
throne  in  rebellion  against  my  father,^’  said  he 
mournfully,  “ which  has  brought  these  woes  upon 
the  kingdom  ; but  Allah  has  grievously  visited 
my  sins  upon  my  head.  For  your  sake,  my 
people,  I have  now  made  this  treaty,  to  protect 
you  from  the  sword,  your  little  ones  from  famine, 
your  wives  and  daughters  from  outrage ; and  to 
secure  you  in  the  enjoyment  of  your  properties, 
your  liberties,  your  laws,  and  your  religion,  un- 
1 Mariana. 


606 


CONQVEST  OF  GRANADA. 


der  9 'sovereign  of  happier  destinies  than  the  ill- 
stpvred  BoabdiL” 

The  versatile  population  were  touched  by  the 
humility  of  their  sovereign  — they  agreed  to  ad- 
here to  the  capitulation,  and  there  was  even  a faint 
shout  of  ‘‘  Long  live  Boabdil  the  Unfortunate ! 
and  they  all  returned  to  their  homes  in  perfect 
tranquillity. 

Boabdil  immediately  sent  missives  to  King  Fer- 
dinand, apprising  him  of  these  events,  and  of  his 
fears  lest  further  delay  should  produce  new  tu- 
mults. The  vizier  Yusef  Aben  Comixa  was 
again  the  agent  between  the  monarchs.  He  was 
received  with  unusual  courtesy  and  attention  by 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella,  and  it  was  arranged  be- 
tween them  that  the  surrender  should  take  place 
on  the  second  day  of  January  instead  of  the  sixth. 
A new  difficulty  now  arose  in  regard  to  the  cer- 
emonial of  surrender.  The  haughty  Ayxa  la 
Horra,  whose  pride  rose  with  the  decline  of  her 
fortunes,  declared  that,  as  sultana  mother,  she 
would  never  consent  that  her  son  should  stoop  to 
the  humiliation  of  kissing  the  hand  of  his  con- 
querorSj  and,  unless  this  part  of  the  ceremonial 
were  modified,  she  would  find  means  to  resist  a 
surrender  accompanied  by  such  indignities. 

Aben  Comixa  was  sorely  troubled  by  this  op- 
position. He  knew  the  high  spirit  of  the  indom- 
itable Ayxa,  and  her  influence  over  her  less  he- 
roic son,  and  wrote  an  urgent  letter  on  the  sub- 
ject to  his  friend,  the  count  de  Tendilla.  The 
latter  imparted  the  circumstance  to  the  Christian 
sovereigns ; a council  was  called  on  the  matter. 


HAUGHTY  SCRUPLES  OF  AYXA,  607 


Spanish  pride  and  etiquette  were  obliged  to  bend 
in  some  degree  to  the  haughty  spirit  of  a woman. 
It  was  agreed  that  Boabdil  should  sally  forth  on 
horseback,  that  on  approaching  the  Spanish  sove- 
reigns he  should  make  a slight  movement  as  if 
about  to  draw  his  foot  from  the  stirrup  and  dis- 
mount, but  would  be  prevented  from  doing  so  by 
Ferdinand,  who  should  treat  him  with  a respect 
due  to  his  dignity  and  elevated  birth.  The  count 
de  Tend  ilia  dispatched  a messenger  with  this  ar- 
rangement ; and  the  haughty  scruples  of  Ayxa  la 
Horra  were  satisfied.^ 

1 Salazar  de  Mendoza.  Chron.  del  Gran.  Cardinal^  lib.  1, 
cap.  69,  p.  1,  Mondajar,  His.  MS.  as  cited  by  Alcantara, 
tom  4,  cap.  18. 


CHAPTER  XCIX. 

Surrender  of  Granada. 


HE  night  preceding  the  surrender  was  a 
night  of  doleful  lamentiqgs,  within  the 
walls  of  the  Alhambra ; for  the  house- 
hold of  Boabdil  were  preparing  to  take  a last 
farewell  of  that  delightful  abode.  All  the  royal 
treasures  and  most  precious  effects  were  hastily 
packed  upon  mules ; the  beautiful  apartments 
were  despoiled,  with  tears  and  wailings,  by  their 
own  inhabitants.  Before  the  dawn  of  day,  a 
mournful  cavalcade  moved  obscurely  out  of  a pos- 
tern-gate of  the  Alhambra,  and  departed  through 
one  of  the  most  retired  quarters  of  the  city.  It 
was  composed  of  the  family  of  the  unfortunate 
Boabdil,  which  he  sent  off  thus  privately,  that 
they  might  not  be  exposed  to  the  eyes  of  scoffers, 
or  the  exultation  of  the  enemy.  The  mother  of 
Boabdil,  the  sultana  Ayxa  la  Horra,  rode  on  in 
silence,  with  dejected  yet  dignified  demeanor ; 
but  his  wife  Moray ma,  and  all  the  females  of  his 
household,  gavQ  way  to  loud  lamentations,  as  they 
looked  back  upon  their  favorite  abode,  now  a 
mass  of  gloomy  towers  behind  them.  They  were 
attended  by  the  ancient  domestics  of  the  house- 
hold, and  by  a small  guard  of  veteran  Moors, 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  THE  SURRENDER,  609 


loyally  attached  to  the  fallen  monarch,  and  who 
would  have  sold  their  lives  dearly  in  defense  of 
his  family.  The  city  was  yet  buried  in  sleep,  as 
they  passed  through  its  silent  streets.  The  guards 
at  the  gate  shed  tears,  as  they  opened  it  for  their 
departure.  They  paused  not,  but  proceeded  along 
the  banks  of  the  Xenil  on  the  road  that  leads  to 
the  Alpuxarras,  until  they  arrived  at  a hamlet  at 
some  distance  from  the  city,  where  they  halted, 
and  waited  until  they  should  be  joined  by  King 
Boabdil. 

The  night  which  had  passed  so  gloomily  in  the 
sumptuous  halls  of  the  Alhambra,  had  been  one 
of  joyful  anticipation  in  the  Christian  camp. 
In  the  evening  proclamation  had  been  made  that. 
Granada  was  to  be  surrendered  on  the  following 
day,  and  the  troops  were  all  ordered  to  assemble 
at  an  early  hour  under  their  several  banners. 
The  cavaliers,  pages,  and  esquires  were  all  charged 
to  array  themselves  in  their  richest  and  most 
splendid  style,  for  the  occasion  ; and  even  the  royal 
iamily  deLermined  to  lay  by  the  mourning  they 
had  recently  assumed  for  the  sudden  death  of  the 
prince  of  Portugal,  the  husband  of  the  princess 
Isabella.  In  a clause  of  the  capitulation  it  had 
been  stipulated  that  the  troops  destined  to  take 
possession,  should  not  traverse  the  city,  but  should 
ascend  to  the  Alhambra  by  a road  opened  for  the 
purpose  outside  of  the  walls.  This  was  to  spare 
the  feelings  of  the  aJSlicted  inhabitants,  and  to  pre- 
vent any  angry  collision  between  them  and  their 
conquerors.  So  rigorous  was  Ferdinand  in  en- 
forcing this  precaution,  that  the  soldiers  were  pro- 
39 


610 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA, 


hibited  under  pain  of  death  from  leaving  the  ranks 
to  enter  into  the  city. 

The  rising  sun  had  scarce  shed  his  rosy  beams 
upon  the  snowy  summits  of  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
when  three  signal  guns  boomed  heavily  from  the 
lofty  fortress  of  the  Alhambra.  It  was  the  con- 
certed sign  that  all  was  ready  for  the  surrender. 
The  Christian  army  forthwith  poured  out  of  the 
city,  or  rather  camp  of  Santa  Fe,  and  advanced 
across  the  vega.  The  king  and  queen,  with  the 
prince  and  princess,  the  dignitaries  and  ladies  of 
the  court,  took  the  lead,  accompanied  by  the  dif- 
ferent orders  of  monks  and  friars,  and  surrounded 
by  the  royal  guards  splendidly  arrayed.  The 
procession  moved  slowly  forward,  and  paused  at 
the  village  of  Armilla,  at  the  distance  of  half  a 
league  from  the  city. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  grand  cardinal  of  Spain, 
Don  Pedro  Gonzalez  de  Mendoza,  escorted  by 
three  thousand  foot  and  a troop  of  cavalry,  and 
accompanied  by  the  commander  Don  Gutierrez 
de  Cardenas,  and  a number  of  prelates  and  hidal- 
gos, crossed  the  Xenil  and  proceeded  in  the  ad- 
vance, to  ascend  to  the  Alhambra  and  take  pos- 
session of  that  royal  palace  and  fortress.  The 
road  which  had  been  opened  for  the  purpose  led 
by  the  Puerta  de  los  Molinos,  or  Gate  of  Mills,  up 
a defile  to  the  esplanade  on  the  summit  of  the 
Hill  of  Martyrs.  At  the  approach  of  this  detach- 
ment, the  Moorish  king  sallied  forth  from  a postern 
gate  of  the  Alhambra,  having  left  his  vizier  Yusef 
Aben  Comixa  to  deliver  up  the  palace.  The  gate 
by  which  he  sallied  passed  through  a lofty  tower 


TUB  SURRENDER. 


611 


of  the  outer  wall,  called  the  Tower  of  the  Seven 
Floors  (de  los  siete  suelos).  He  was  accompanied 
by  fifty  cavaliers,  and  approached  the  grand  car- 
dinal on  foot.  The  latter  immediately  alighted, 
and  advanced  to  meet  him  with  the  utmost  re- 
spect. They  stepped  aside  a few  paces,  and  held 
a brief  conversation  in  an  undertone,  when  Boab- 
dil,  raising  his  voice,  exclaimed,  “ Go,  Senor,  and 
take  possession  of  those  fortresses  in  the  name 
of  the  powerful  sovereigns,  to  whom  God  has  been 
pleased  to  deliver  them  in  reward  of  their  great 
merits,  and  in  punishment  of  the  sins  of  the 
Moors.’’  The  grand  cardinal  sought  to.  console 
him  in  his  reverses,  and  offered  him  the  use  of 
his  own  tent  during  any  time  he  might  sojourn  in 
the  camp,  Boabdil  thanked  him  for  the  courteous 
offer,  adding  some  words  of  melancholy  import, 
and  then  taking  leave  of  him  gracefully,  passed 
mournfully  on  to  meet  the  Catholic  sovereigns, 
descending  to  the  vega  by  the  same  road  by  which 
the  cardinal  had  come.  The  latter,  with  the  pre- 
lates and  cavaliers  who  attended  him,  entered  the 
Alhambra,  the  gates  of  which  were  thrown  wide 
open  by  the  alcayde  Aben  Comixa.  At  the  same 
time  the  Moorish  guards  yielded  up  their  arms, 
and  the  towers  and  battlements  were  taken  pos- 
session of  by  the  Christian  troops. 

While  these  transactions  were  passing  in  the 
Alhambra  and  its  vicinity,  the  sovereigns  remained 
with  their  retinue  and  guards  near  the  village  of 
Armilla,  their  eyes  fixed  on  the  towers  of  the 
royal  fortress,  watching  for  the  appointed  signal 
.)f  possession.  The  time  that  had  elapsed  since 


612 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


the  departure  of  the  detachment  seemed  to  them 
more  than  necessary  for  the  purpose,  and  the 
anxious  mind  of  Ferdinand  began  to  entertain 
doubts  of  some  commotion  in  the  city.  At  length 
they  saw  the  silver  cross,  the  great  standard  of 
this  crusade,  elevated  on  the  Torre  de  la  Vela,  or 
Great  Watch-Tower,  and  sparkling  in  the  sun- 
beams. This  was  done  by  Hernando  de  Talavera, 
bishop  of  Avila.  Beside  it  was  planted  the 
pennon  of  the  glorious  apostle  St.  James,  and  a 
great  shout  of  Santiago ! Santiago ! ” rose 
throughout  the  army.  Lastly  was  reared  the 
royal  standard  by  the  king  of  arms,  with  the 
shout  of  “ Castile ! Castile  ! For  King  Ferdinand 
and  Queen  Isabella  ! ” The  words  were  echoed 
by  the  whole  army,  with  acclamations  that  re- 
sounded across  the  vega.  At  sight  of  these 
signals  of  possession,  the  sovereigns  sank  upon 
their  knees,  giving  thanks  to  God  for  this  great 
triumph  ; the  whole  assembled  host  followed  their 
example,  and  the  choristers  of  the  royal  chapel 
broke  forth  into  the  solemn  anthem  of  “ Te  Deum 
laudamus.^^ 

The  king  now  advanced  with  a splendid  escort 
of  cavalry  and  the  sound  of  trumpets,  until  he  • 
came  to  a small  mosque  near  the  banks  of  the 
Xenil,  and  not  far  from  the  foot  of  the  Hill  of 
Martyrs,  which  edifice  remains  to  the  present  day 
consecrated  as  the  hermitage  of  St.  Sebastian. 
Here  he  beheld  the  unfortunate  king  of  Granada 
approaching  on  horseback,  at  the  head  of  his 
slender  retinue.  Boabdil  as  he  drew  near  made 
a movement  to  dismount,  but,  as  had  previously 


THE  SURRENDER, 


613 


been  concerted,  Ferdinand  prevented  him.  He 
then  offered  to  kiss  the  king’s  hand,  which,  ac- 
cording to  arrangement,  was  likewise  declined, 
whereupon  he  leaned  forward  and  kissed  the  king’s 
right  arm ; at  the  same  time  he  delivered  the  keys 
of  tiie  city  with  an  air  of  mingled  melancholy  and 
resignation : “ These  keys,”  said  he,  “ are  the  last 
relics  of  the  Arabian  empire  in  Spain : thine,  O 
king,  are  our  trophies,  our  kingdom,  and  our 
person.  Such  is  the  will  of  God ! Heceive  them 
with  the  clemency  thou  hast  promised,  and  which 
we  look  for  at  thy  hands.”  ^ 

King  Ferdinand  restrained  his  exultation  into 
an  air  of  serene  magnanimity.  “ Doubt  not  our 
promises,”  replied  he,  “ nor  that  thou  shalt  regain 
from  our  friendship  the  prosperity  of  which  the 
fortune  of  war  has  deprived  thee.” 

Being  informed  that  Don  Inigo  Lopez  de  Men- 
doza, the  good  count  of  Tendilla,  was  to  be 
governor  of  the  city,  Boabdil  drew  from  his  fin- 
ger a gold  ring  set  with  a precious  stone,  and  pre- 
sented it  to  the  count.  ‘‘  With  this  ring,”  said  he, 
“ Granada  has  been  governed  ; take  it  and  govern 
with  it,  and  God  make  you  more  fortunate  than  I.”  ^ 
He  then  proceeded  to  the  village  of  Armilla, 
where  the  queen  Isabella  remained  with  her  escort 

i Abarca,  Anales  de  Aragon^  Reg  30,  cap.  3. 

This  ring  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  descendants 
of  the  count  until  the  death  of  the  marques  Don  Inigo,  the 
'ast  male  heir,  who  died  in  Malaga  without  children,  in  1656. 
The  ring  was  then  lost  through  inadvertence  and  ignorance 
of  its  value,  Doha  Maria,  the  sister  of  the  marques,  being  ab- 
sent in  Madrid.  Alcantara,  lib.  4,  cap.  18. 


614 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


and  attendants.  The  queen,  like  her  husband, 
declined  all  acts  of  homage,  and  received  him  with 
her  accustomed  grace  and  benignity.  She  at  the 
same  time  delivered  to  him  his  son,  who  had  been 
held  as  a hostage  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  capit- 
ulation. Boabdil  pressed  his  child  to  his  bosom 
with  tender  emotion,  and  they  seemed  mutually 
endeared  to  each  other  by  their  misfortunes.^ 

Having  rejoined  his  family,  the  unfortunate 
Boabdil  continued  on  towards  the  Alpuxarras, 
that  he  might  not  behold  the  entrance  of  the 
Christians  into  his  capital.  His  devoted  band  of 
cavaliers  followed  him  in  gloomy  silence ; but 
heavy  sighs  burst  from  their  bosoms,  as  shouts  of 
joy  and  strains  of  triumphant  music  were  borne 
on  the  breeze  from  the  victorious  army. 

Having  rejoined  his  family,  Boabdil  set  for- 
ward with  a heavy  heart  for  his  allotted  residence 
in  the  Yalley  of  Purchena.  At  two  leagues’  dis- 
tance, the  cavalcade,  winding  into  the  skirts  of 
the  Alpuxarras,  ascended  an  eminence  command- 
ing the  last  view  of  Granada.  As  they  arrived 
at  this  spot,  the  Moors  paused  involuntarily,  to 
take  a farewell  gaze  at  their  beloved  city,  which 
a few  steps  more  would  shut  from  their  sight  for- 
ever. Never  had  it  appeared  so  lovely  in  their 
eyes.  The  sunshine,  so  bright  in  that  transpa- 
rent climate,  lit  up  each  tower  and  minaret,  and 
rested  gloriously  upon  the  crowning  battlements 
of  the  Alhambra ; while  the  vega  spread  its 
enameled  bosom  of  verdure  below,  glistening  with 
the  silver  windings  of  the  Xenil.  The  Moorish 
1 Zurita,  Andes  de  Aragon^  lib.  20,  cap.  92. 


THE  LAST  SIGH  OF  THE  MOOR.  615 


cavaliers  gazed  with  a silent  agony  of  tenderness 
and  grief  upon  that  delicious  abode,  the  scene  of 
their  loves  and  pleasures.  While  they  yet  looked, 
a light  cloud  of  smoke  burst  forth  from  the  cita- 
del, and  presently  a peal  of  artillery,  faintly 
heard,  told  that  the  city  was  taken  possession  of, 
and  tlie  throne  of  the  Moslem  kings  was  lost  for- 
ever. The  heart  of  Boabdil,  softened  by  misfor- 
tunes and  overcharged  with  grief,  could  no  longer 
contain  itself;  “Allah  Achbar ! God  is  great!” 
said  he  ; but  the  words  of  resignation  died  upon 
his  lips,  and  he  burst  into  tears. 

His  mother,  the  intrepid  Ayxa,  was  indignant 
at  his  weakness : “ You  do  well,”  said  she,  “ to 
weep  like  a woman  for  what  you  failed  to  defend 
like  a man  ! ” 

The  vizier  Aben  Comixa  endeavored  to  con- 
sole his  royal  master.  “ Consider,  Senor,”  said 
he,  “that  the  most  signal  misfortunes  often  ren- 
der men  as  renowned  as  the  most  prosperous 
achievements,  provided  they  sustain  them  with 
magnanimity.” 

The  unhappy  monarch,  however,  was  not  to  be 
consoled ; his  tears  continued  to  flow.  “ Allah 
Achbar!”  exclaimed  he,  “when  did  misfortunes 
ever  equal  mine  ? ” 

From  this  circumstance,  the  hill,  which  is  not 
far  from  Padul,  took  the  name  of  Feg  Allah 
Achbar;  but  the  point  of  view  commanding  the 
last  prospect  of  Granada  is  known  among  Span- 
iards by  the  name  of  El  ultimo  suspiro  del  Moro , 
or,  “ The  last  sigh  of  the  Moor.” 


CHAPTEE  C. 

How  the  Castilian  Sovereigns  took  Possession  of  Granada. 

HUEEN  ISABELLA  having  joined  the 
king,  the  royal  pair,  followed  by  a tri- 

umphant  host,  passed  up  the  road  by  the 

Hill  of  Martyrs,  and  thence  to  the  main  entrance 
of  the  Alhambra.  The  grand  cardinal  awaited 
them  under  the  lofty  arch  of  the  great  Gate  of 
Justice,  accompanied  by  Don  Gutierrez  de  Car- 
denas and  Aben  Comixa.  Here  King  Ferdinand 
gave  the  keys  which  had  been  delivered  up  to 
him  into  the  hands  of  the  queen ; they  were 
passed  successively  into  the  hands  of  the  prince 
Juan,  the  grand  cardinal,  and  finally  into  those  of 
the  count  de  Tendilla,  in  whose  custody  they  re- 
mained, that  brave  cavalier  having  been  named 
alcayde  of  the  Alhambra,  and  captain-general  of 
Granada. 

The  sovereigns  did  not  remain  long  in  the 
Alhambra  on  this  first  visit,  but  leaving  a strong 
garrison  there  under  the  count  de  Tendilla,  to 
maintain  tranquillity  in  the  palace  and  the  subja- 
cent city,  returned  to  the  camp  at  Santa  Fe. 

We  must  not  omit  to  mention  a circumstance 
attending  the  surrender  of  the  city,  which  spoke 
eloquently  to  the  hearts  of  the  victors.  As  the 
royal  army  had  advanced  in.  all  the  pomp  of 


OCCUPATION  OF  THE  CITY. 


617 


courtly  and  chivalrous  array,  a procession  of  a 
different  kind  came  forth  to  meet  it.  This  was 
composed  of  more  than  five  hundred  Christian 
captives,  many  of  whom  had  languished  for  years 
in  Moorish  dungeons.  Pale  and  emaciated,  they 
came  clanking  their  chains  in  triumph,  and  shed- 
ding tears  of  joy.  They  were  received  with  ten- 
derness by  the  sovereigns.  The  king  hailed  them 
as  good  Spaniards,  as  men  loyal  and  brave,  as 
martyrs  to  the  holy  cause ; the  queen  distributed 
liberal  relief  among  them  with  her  own  hands, 
and  they  passed  on  before  the  squadrons  of  the 
army,  singing  hymns  of  jubilee.^ 

The  sovereigns  forbore  to  enter  the  city  until 
it  should  be  fully  occupied  by  their  troops,  and 
public  tranquillity  insured.  All  this  was  done 
under  the  vigilant  superintendence  of  the  count 
de  Tendilla,  assisted  by  the  marques  of  Villena ; 
and  the  glistening  of  Christian  helms  and  lances 
along  the  walls  and  bulwarks,  and  the  standards 
of  the  faith  and  of  the  realm  flaunting  from  the 
towers,  told  that  the  subjugation  of  the  city  was 
complete.  The  proselyte  prince,  Cid  Hiaya,  now 
known  by  the  Christian  appellation  of  Don  Pedro 
de  Granada  Vanegas,^  was  appointed  chief  algua- 
zil  of  the  city,  and  had  charge  of  the  Moorish 
inhabitants ; and  his  son,  lately  the  prince  Al- 

1 Abarca,  lib.  sup.  Zurita,  etc. 

2 Cid  Hiaya  was  made  cavalier  of  the  order  of  Santiago. 
He  and  his  son  intermarried  with  the  Spanish  nobility,  and 
the  marqiieses  of  Compotejar  are  among  their  descendants. 
Their  portraits,  and  the  portraits  of  their  grandsons,  are  to  be 
seen  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Generalife  at  Granada. 


618 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA 


nayer,  now  Alonzo  de  Granada  Vanegas,  was  ap 
pointed  admiral  of  the  fleets. 

It  was  on  the  sixth  of  January,  the  day  of 
kings  and  festival  of  the  Epiphany,  that  the  sove- 
reigns made  their  triumphal  entry  with  grand 
military  parade.  First  advanced,  we  are  told,  a 
splendid  escort  of  cavaliers  in  burnished  armor, 
and  superbly  mounted.  Then  followed  the  prince 
Juan,  glittering  with  jewels  and  diamonds ; on 
each  side  of  him,  mounted  on  mules,  rode  the 
grand  cardinal,  clothed  in  purple,  Fray  Hernando 
de  Talavera,  bishop  of  Aria,  and  the  archbishop 
elect  of  Granada.  To  these  succeeded  the  queen 
and  her  ladies,  and  the  king,  managing  in  galliard 
style,  say  the  Spanish  chronicles,  a proud  and 
mettlesome  steed  (^m  cahallo  arrogant^.  Then 
followed  the  army  in  shining  columns,  with  flaunt- 
ing banners  and  the  inspiring  clamor  of  military 
music.  The  king  and  queen  (says  the  worthy 
Fray  Antonio  Agapida)  looked,  on  this  occasion, 
as  more  than  mortal : the  venerable  ecclesiastics, 
to  whose  advice  and  zeal  this  glorious  conquest 
ought  in  a great  measure  to  be  attributed,  moved 
along  with  hearts  swelling  with  holy  exultation, 
but  with  chastened  and  downcast  looks  of  edify- 
ing humility;  while  the  hardy  warriors,  in  tossing 
plumes  and  shining  steel,  seemed  elevated  with  a 
stern  joy  at  finding  themselves  in  possession  of 
this  object  of  so  many  toils  and  perils.  As  the 
streets  resounded  with  the  tramp  of  steeds  and 
swelling  peals  of  music,  the  Moors  buried  them- 
selves in  the  deepest  recesses  of  their  dwellings. 
There  they  bewailed  in  secret  the  fallen  glory  of 


THE  ROYAL  PROCESSION, 


619 


their  race,  but  suppressed  their  groans,  lest  they 
sliould  be  heard  by  their  enemies,  and  increase 
their  triumph. 

The  royal  procession  advanced  to  the  princi- 
pal mosque,  which  had  been  consecrated  as  a ca- 
thedral. Here  the  sovereigns  offered  up  prayers 
and  thanksgivings,  and  the  choir  of  the  royal 
chapel  chanted  a triumphant  antliem,  in  which 
they  were  joined  by  all  the  courtiers  and  cava- 
liers. Nothing  (says  Fray  Antonio  Agapida) 
could  exceed  the  thankfulness  to  God  of  the  pious 
King  Ferdinand,  for  having  enabled  him  to  eradi- 
cate from  Spain  the  empire  and  name  of  that 
accursed  heathen  race,  and  for  the  elevation  of 
the  cross  in  that  city  wherein  the  impious  doc 
trines  of  Mahomet  had  so  long  been  cherishea. 
In  the  fervor  of  his  spirit,  he  supplicated  from 
Heaven  a continuance  of  its  grace,  and  that  this 
glorious  triumph  might  be  perpetuated.^  The 
prayer  of  the  pious  monarch,  was  responded  by 
the  people,  and  even  his  enemies  were  for  once 
convinced  of  his  sincerity. 

When  the  religious  ceremonies  were  concluded, 
the  court  ascended  to  the  stately  palace  of  the 
Alhambra,  and  entered  by  the  great  Gate  of  Jus- 
tice. The  halls  lately  occupied  by  turbaned  infi- 
dels now  rustled  with  stately  dames  and  Christian 
courtiers,  who  wandered  with  eager  curiosity  over 
this  far-famed  palace,  admiring  its  verdant  courts 
and  gushing  fountains,  its  halls  decorated  with 

1 The  words  of  Fray  Antonio  Agapida  are  little  more  than 
An  echo  of  those  of  the  worthy  Jesuit  father  Mariana  (lib. 
85,  cap.  18). 


620 


CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA. 


elegant  arabesques  and  storied  with  inscriptions, 
and  the  splendor  of  its  gilded  and  brilliantly 
painted  ceilings. 

It  had  been  a last  request  of  the  unfortunate 
Boabdil,  and  one  which  showed  how  deeply  he 
felt  the  transition  of  his  fate,  that  no  person  might 
be  permitted  to  enter  or  depart  by  the  gate  of 
the  Alhambra,  through  which  he  had  sallied  forth 
to  surrender  his  capital.  His  request  was  granted ; 
the  portal  w^as  closed  up,  and  remains  so  to  the 
present  day — a mute  memorial  of  that  event.^ 

The  Spanish  sovereigns  fixed  their  throne  in 
the  presence-chamber  of  the  palace,  so  long  the 
seat  of  Moorish  royalty.  Hither  the  principal 

1 Garibay,  Compend,  Hist,  lib.  40,  cap.  42.  The  existence  of 
this  gateway,  and  the  story  connected  with  it,  are  perhaps 
known  to  few ; but  were  identified,  in  the  researches  made  to 
verify  this  history.  The  gateway  is  at  the  bottom  of  a tower, 
at  some  distance  from  the  main  body  of  the  Alhambra.  The 
tower  has  been  rent  and  ruined  by  gunpowder,  at  the  time 
when  the  fortress  was  evacuated  by  the  French.  Great 
masses  lie  around  half  covered  by  vines  and  fig-trees.  A poor 
man,  by  the  name  ofMatteo  Ximenes,  who  lives  in  one  of  the 
halls  among  the  ruins  of  the  Alhambra,  where  his  family  has 
resided  for  many  generations,  pointed  out  to  the  author  the 
gateway,  still  closed  up  with  stones.  He  remembered  to  have 
heard  his  father  and  grandfather  say,  that  it  had  always  been 
stopped  up,  and  that  out  of  it  King  Boabdil  had  gone  when 
he  surrendered  Granada.  The  route  of  the  unfortunate  king 
may  be  traced  thence  across  the  garden  of  the  convent  of  Los 
Martyros,  and  down  a ravine  beyond,  through  a street  of 
Gypsy  caves  and  hovels,  by  the  gate  of  Los  Molinos,  and  so 
on  to  the  Hermitage  of  St.  Sebastian.  Hone  but  an  antiqua- 
rian, however,  will  be  able  to  trace  it,  unless  aided  by  the 
humble  historian  of  the  place,  Matteo  Ximenes. 


END  OF  THE  CONQUEST  OF  GRANADA.  621 


inhabitants  of  Granada  repaired,  to  pay  them 
homage  and  kiss  their  hands  in  token  of  vassal- 
age  ; and  their  example  was  followed  by  deputies 
from  all  the  towns  and  fortresses  of  the  Alpux- 
arras,  which  had  not  hitherto  submitted. 

Thus  terminated  the  war  of  Granada,  after  ten 
j^ears  of  incessant  fighting ; equaling  (says  Fray 
Antonio  Agapida)  the  far-famed  siege  of  Troy 
in  duration,  and  ending,  like  that,  in  the  capture 
of  the  city.  Thus  ended  also  the  dominion  of  the 
Moors  in  Spain,  having  endured  seven  hundred 
and  seventy-eight  years,  from  the  memorable  de- 
feat of  Roderick,  the  last  of  the  Goths,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Guadalete.  The  authentic  Agapida 
is  uncommonly  particular  in  fixing  the  epoch  of 
this  event.  This  great  triumph  of  our  holy  Cath- 
olic faith,  according  to  his  computation,  took  place 
in  the  beginning  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1492,  being  3,655  years  from  the  population 
of  Spain  by  the  patriarch  Tubal ; 3,797  from  the 
general  deluge  ; 5,453  from  the  creation  of  the 
world,  according  to  Hebrew  calculation ; and  in 
the  month  Rabic,  in  the  eight  hundred  and  nine- 
ty-seventh year  of  the  Hegira,  or  flight  of  Ma- 
homet ; whom  may  God  confound ! saith  the  pious 
Agapida  ! 


APPENDIX. 


HE  Chronicle  of  the  Conquest  of  Granada 
is  finished,  but  the  reader  may  be  desirous 
of  knowing  the  subsequent  fortunes  of  some 
of  the  principal  personages. 

The  unfortunate  Boabdil  retired  with  his  mother, 
his  wife,  his  son,  his  sister,  his  vizier,  and  bosom 
counselor  Aben  Comixa,  and  many  other  relatives 
and  friends,  to  the  Valley  of  Purchena,  where  a small, 
but  fertile  territory  had  been  allotted  him,  compri- 
sing several  towns  of  the  Alpuxarras,  with  all  their 
rights  and  revenues.  Here,  surrounded  by  obedient 
vassals,  devoted  friends,  and  a loving  family,  and 
possessed  of  wealth  -sufficient  to  enable  him  to  in- 
dulge in  his  habitual  luxury  and  magnificence,  he 
for  a time  led  a tranquil  life,  and  may  have  looked 
back  upon  his  regal  career  as  a troubled  dream,  fi*orn 
which  he  had  happily  awaked.  Still  he  appears  to 
have  pleased  himself  with  a shadow  of  royalty,  mak- 
ing occasionally,  progresses  about  his  little  domains, 
visiting  the  different  towns,  receiving  the  homage 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  bestowing  largesses  with  a 
princely  hand.  His  great  delight,  however,  was  in 
sylvan  sports  and  exercises,  with  horses,  hawks,  and 
hounds,  being  passionately  fond  of  hunting  and  fal- 
conry, so  as  to  pass  weeks  together  in  sporting  cam- 
paigns among  the  mountains.  The  jealous  suspicions 
of  Ferdinand  followed  him  into  his  retreat.  No  exer- 


APPENDIX. 


623 


tions  were  spared  by  the  politically  pious  monarch, 
to  induce  him  to  embrace  the  Christian  religion,  as 
a means  of  severing  him  in  feelings  and  sympathies 
from  his  late  subjects  ; but  he  remained  true  to  the 
faith  of  his  fathers ; and  it  must  have  added  not  a 
little  to  his  humiliation  to  live  a vassal  under  Chris- 
tian sovereigns. 

His  obstinacy,  in  this  respect,  aggravated  the  dis- 
trust of  Ferdinand,  who,  looking  back  upon  the  past 
inconstancy  of  the  Moors,  could  not  feel  perfectly 
secure  in  his  newly  conquered  territories,  while 
there  was  one  within  their  bounds  who  might  revive 
pretensions  to  the  throne,  and  rear  the  standard  of 
an  opposite  faith  in  their  behalf.  He  caused,  there- 
fore, a vigilant  watch  to  be  kept  upon  the  dethroned 
monarch  in  his  retirement,  and  beset  him  with  spies, 
who  were  to  report  all  his  words  and  actions.  The 
reader  will  • probably  be  surprised  to  learn,  that  the 
foremost  of  these  spies  was  Aben  Comixa  ! Ever 
since  the  capture  and  release  of  the  niece  of  the 
vizier  by  the  count  de  Tendilla,  Aben  Comixa  had 
kept  up  a friendly  correspondence  with  that  noble- 
man, and  through  this  channel  had  gradually  been 
brought  over  to  the  views  of  Ferdinand.  Documents 
which  have  gradually  come  to  light,  leave  little  doubt 
that  the  vizier  had  been  corrupted  by  the  bribes  and 
promises  of  the  Spanish  king,  and  had  greatly  pro- 
moted his  views  in  the  capitulation  of  Granada.  It 
is  certain  that  he  subsequently  received  great  estates 
from  the  Christian  sovereigns.  While  residing  in 
confidential  friendship  with  Boabdil  in  his  retirement, 
Aben  Comixa  communicated  secretly  with  Hernando 
de  Zafra,  the  secretary  of  Ferdinand,  who  resided 
at  Granada,  giving  him  information  of  all  Boabdil’s 
movements ; which  the  secretary  reported  by  letter 
to  the  king.  Some  of  the  letters  of  the  secretary 


624 


APPENDIX. 


X 


still  exist  in  the  archives  of  Samancas,  and  have 
been  recently  published  in  the  collection  of  unedited 
documents.^ 

The  jealous  doubts  of  Ferdinand  were  quickened 
by  the  letters  of  his  spies.  He  saw  in  the  hunting 
campaigns  and  royal  progresses  of  the  ex-king  a 
mode  of  keejiing  up  a military  spirit,  and  a concerted 
intelligence  among  the  Moors  of  the  Alpuxarras, 
that  might  prepare  them  for  future  rebellion.  By 
degrees,  the  very  residence  of  Boabdil  within  the 
kingdom  became  incompatible  with  Ferdinand’s  ideas 
of  security.  He  gave  his  agents,  therefore,  secret 
instructions  to  work  upon  the  mind  of  the  deposed 
monarch,  and  induce  him,  like  El  Zagal,  to  relinquish 
his  Spanish  estates  for  valuable  considerations,  and 
retire  to  Africa.  Boabdil,  however,  was  not  to  be 
persuaded  ; to  the  urgent  suggestions  of  these  perfid- 
ious counselors,  he  replied,  that  he  had  given  up  a 
kingdom  to  live  in  peace ; and  had  no  idea  of  going 
to  a foreign  land  to  encounter  new  troubles,  and  to 
be  under  the  control  of  al-arabes.^ 

Ferdinand  persisted  in  his  endeavors,  and  found 
means  more  elfectual  of  operating  on  the  mind  of 
Boabdil  and  gradually  disposing  him  to  enter  into 
negotations.  It  would  a^jpear  that  Aben  Comixa 
was  secretly  active  in  this  matter,  in  the  interests  of 
the  Spanish  monarch,  and  was  with  him  at  Barcelona, 
as  the  vizier  and  agent  of  Boabdil.  The  latter, 
however,  finding  that  his  residence  in  the  Alpuxarras 
was  a cause  of  suspicion  and  uneasiness  to  Ferdinand, 

1 El  rey  Muley  Babdali  (Boabdil)  y sus  criados  andan  con- 
tinuamente  a caza  con  glagos  y azores,  y alia  esta  agora  en 
al  campo  de  Dallas  y en  Verja,  aunque  su  casa  tiene  en  An- 
darax,  y dican  qiie  estara  alia  por  todo  este  raes.  — Carta  Se- 
zreia  de  Hernando  de  Zafra.  Decembre,  1492. 

2 Letter  of  Hernando  de  Zalia  to  the  sovereigns,  Dec  9, 1493. 


APPENDIX, 


625 


determined  to  go  himself  to  Barcelona,  have  a con- 
ference with  the  sovereigns,  and  conduct  all  his  ne- 
gotiations with  them  in  person.  Zafra,  the  secretary 
of  Ferdinand,  who  was  ever  on  the  alert,  wrote  a 
letter  from  Granada,  apprising  the  king  of  Boabdifs 
intention,  and  that  he  was  making  preparations  for 
the  journey.  He  received  a letter  in  reply,  charging 
liini  by  subtle  management  to  prevent,  or  at  least 
delay,  the  coming  of  Boabdil  to  court.^  The  crafty 
monarch  trusted  to  effect  through  Aben  Comixa  as 
vizier  and  agent  of  Boabdil,  an  arrangement  which 
it  might  be  impossible  to  obtain  from  Boabdil  him- 
self. The  politic  plan  was  carried  into  effect. 
Boabdil  was  detained  at  Andarax  by  the  manage- 
ment of  Zafra.  In  the  mean  time,  a scandalous 
bargain  was  made  on  the  17th  March,  1493,  between 
Ferdinand  and  Aben  Comixa,  in  which  the  latter,  as 
vizier  and  agent  of  Boabdil,  though  without  any 
license  or  authority  from  him,  made  a sale  of  his 
territory,  and  the  patrimonial  property  of  the  prin- 
cesses, for  eighty  thousand  ducats  of  gold,  and 
engaged  that  he  should  depart  for  Africa,  taking 
care,  at  the  same  time,  to  make  conditions  highly  ad- 
vantageous for  himself.^ 

This  bargain  being  hastily  concluded,  Yusef ‘Aben 
Comixa  loaded  the  treasure  upon  mules,  and  departed 
for  the  Alpuxarras.  Here,  spreading  the  money  be- 
fore Boabdil : ‘‘  Senior,”  said  he,  I have  observed 
that  as  long  as  you  live  here,  you  are  exposed  to 
constant  peril.  The  Moors  are  rash  and  irritable ; 
they  may  make  some  sudden  insurrection,  elevate 
your  standard  as  a pretext,  and  thus  overwhelm  you 
and  your  friends  with  utter  ruin.  I have  observed, 

1 Letter  of  the  sovereigns  to  Hernando  de  Zafra,  from  Bar 
celona,  Feb.  1493. 

2 Alcantara,  Hist.  Granad.  iv.  c.  18. 

40 


626 


APPENDIX. 


also  that  you  pine  away  with  grief,  being  continually 
reminded  in  this  country  that  you  were  once  its 
sovereign,  but  never  more  must  hope  to  reign.  I 
have  put  an  end  to  these  evils.  Your  territory  is 
sold  — behold  the  price  of  it.  With  this  gold  you 
may  buy  far  greater  possessions  in  Africa,  where 
you  may  live  in  honor  and  security.’' 

When  Boabdil  heard  these  words,  he  burst  into  a 
sudden  transport  of  rage,  and  drawing  his  scimetar, 
would  have  sacrificed  the  officious  Yusef  on  the 
spot,  had  not  the  attendants  interfered,  and  hurried 
the  vizier  from  his  presence.^ 

The  rage  of  Boabdil  gradually  subsided ; he  saw 
that  he  had  been  duped  and  betrayed  ; but  he  knew 
the  spirit  of  Ferdinand  too  well  to  hope  that  he 
would  retract  the  bargain,  however  illegitimately 
effected.  He  contented  himself,  therefore,  with  ob- 
taining certain  advantageous  modifications,  and  then 
prepared  to  bid  a final  adieu  to  his  late  kingdom  and 
his  native  land. 

It  took  some  months  to  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments ; or  rather  his  departure  was  delayed  by  a 
severe  domestic  affliction.  Morayma,  his  gentle  and 
affectionate  wife,  worn  out  by  agitations  and  alarms, 
was  gradually  sinking  into  the  grave,  a prey  to  de- 
vouring melancholy.  Her  death  took  place  toward 
the  end  of  August.  Hernando  de  Zafra  apprised 
king  Ferdinand  of  the  event  as  one  propitious  to  his 
purposes  : removing  an  obstacle  to  the  embarkation, 
v/hich  was  now  fixed  for  the  month  of  September. 
Zafra  was  instructed  to  accompany  the  exiles  until 
he  saw  them  landed  on  the  African  coast. 

The  embarkation,  however,  did  not  take  place 
until  some  time  in  the  month  of  October.  A caracca 
had  been  prepared  at  the  port  of  Adra  for  Boabdil 
1 Marmol.  Rebel,  lib.  1,  c.  22. 


APPENDIX, 


627 


and  his  immediate  family  and  friends.  Another 
Caracca  and  two  galliots  received  a number  of  faith- 
ful adherents,  amounting,  it  is  said  to  1,130,  who  fol- 
lowed their  prince  into  exile. 

A crowd  of  his  former  subjects  witnessed  his  em- 
barkation. As  the  sails  were  unfurled  and  swelled 
to  the  breeze,  and  the  vessel  bearing  Boabdil  parted 
fi'om  the  land,  the  spectators  would  fain  have  given 
him  a farewell  cheering ; but  the  humbled  state 
of  their  once  proud  sovereign  forced  itself  upon 
their  minds,  and  the  ominous  surname  of  his  youth 
rose  involuntarily  to  their  tongues  : “ Farewell,  Boab- 
dil ! Allah  preserve  thee,  El  Zogoyhi ! burst  spon- 
taneously from  the  lips.  The  unlucky  appellation 
sank  into  the  heart  of  the  expatriated  monarch,  and 
tears  dimmed  his  eyes  as  the  snowy  summits  of  the 
mountains  of  Granada  gradually  faded  from  his 
view. 

He  was  received  with  welcome  at  the  court  of  his 
relative  Muley  Ahmed,  caliph  of  Fez,  the  same  who 
had  treated  El  Zagal  with  such  cruelty  in  his  exile. 
For  thirty -four  years  he  resided  in  this  court,  treated 
with  great  consideration,  and  built  a palace  or  al- 
cazar, at  Fez,  in  which,  it  is  said,  he  endeavored  to 
emulate  the  beauties  and  delights  of  the  Alhambra. 

The  last  we  find  recorded  of  him  is  in  the  year 
1536,  when  he  followed  the  caliph  to  the  field  to  repel 
the  invasion  of  two  brothers  of  the  famous  line  of  the 
Xerifes,  who  at  the  head  of  Berber  troops  had  taken 
the  city  of  Morocco  and  threatened  Fez.  The  armies 
came  in  sight  of  each  other  on  the  banks  of  the 
Gaudal  Hawit  or  river  of  slaves,  at  the  ford  of  Bal- 
cuba.  The  river  was  deep,  the  banks  were  high  and 
broken  ; and  the  ford  could  only  be  passed  in  single 
file ; for  three  days  the  armies  remained  firing  at 
each  other  across  the  stream,  neither  venturing  to 


G28 


APPENDIX, 


attempt  tlie  dangerous  ford.  At  length  the  cali})h 
divided  his  army  into  three  battalions,  the  command 
of  the  first  he  gave  to  his  brother-in-law,  and  to 
Ali  Atar,  son  of  the  old  alcayde  of  Loxa  ; another 
division  he  commanded  himself,  and  the  third,  com- 
posed of  his  best  marksmen,  he  put  under  the  com- 
mand of  his  son  the  prince  of  Fez,  and  Boabdil,  now 
a gray-haired  veteran.  The  last  mentioned  column 
took  the  lead,  dashed  boldly  across  the  ford,  scram- 
bled up  the  opposite  bank,  and  attempted  to  keep 
the  enemy  employed  until  the  other  battalions  should 
have  time  to  cross.  The  rebel  army,  however,  at- 
tacked them  with  such  fury,  that  the  son  of  the  king 
of  Fez  and  several  of  the  bravest  alcaydes  were 
slain  upon  the  spot ; multitudes  were  driven  back 
into  the  river,  which  was  already  crowded  with  pass- 
ing troops.  A dreadful  confusion  took  place ; the 
horse  trampled  upon  the  foot ; the  enemy  pressed  on 
them  with  fearful  slaughter ; those  who  escaped  the 
sword  perished  by  the  stream  ; the  river  was  choked 
by  the  dead  bodies  of  men  and  horses,  and  by  the 
scattered  baggage  of  the  army.  In  this  scene  of 
horrible  carnage  fell  Boabdil,  truly  called  El  Zogoybi, 
or  the  Unlucky  — an  instance,  says  the  ancient 
chronicler,  of  the  scornful  caprice  of  fortune,  dying 
in  defense  of  the  kingdom  of  another,  after  wanting 
spirit  to  die  in  defense  of  his  own.^ 

The  aspersion  of  the  chronicler  is  more  caustic 
than  correct.  Boabdil  never  showed  a want  of 
courage  in  the  defense  of  Granada ; but  he  wanted 
firmness  and  decision  ; he  was  beset  from  the  first 
by  perplexities,  and  ultimately,  by  the  artifices  of 
Ferdinand  and  the  treachery  of  those  in  whom  he 
most  confided.^ 

1 Marmol.  Descrip  de  Africa^  pt.  1,  lib.  2,  c.  40.  Idem,  Hist, 
Reb.  de  los  Moros.  lib  1,  c.  21. 

2 In  revising  this  account  of  the  ultimate  fortunes  of  Boah« 


APPENDIX, 


629 


ZORAYA,  THE  STAR  OF  THE  MORNING. 

Notwithstanding  the  deadly  rivalship  of  this 
youthful  sultana,  with  Ayxa  la  Horra,  the  virtuous 
mother  of  Boabdil,  and  the  disasters  to  which  her 
ambitious  intrigues  gave  rise,  the  placable  spirit  of 
Boabdil  bore  her  no  lasting  enmity.  After  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  treated  her  with  respect  and  kind- 
ness, and  evinced  a brotherly  feeling  towards  her 
sons  Cad  and  Nazar.  In  the  capitulations  for  the 
surrender  of  Granada  he  took  care  of  her  interests, 
and  the  possessions  which  he  obtained  for  her  were 
in  his  neighborhood,  in  the  valleys  of  the  Alpuxarras. 
Zoraya,  however,  under  the  influence  of  queen  Isa- 
bella, returned  to  the  Christian  faith,  the  religion  of 
her  infancy,  and  resumed  her  Spanish  name  of  Isa- 
bella. Her  two  sons  Cad  and  Nazar  were  baptized 
under  the  names  of  Don  Fernando  and  Don  Juan  de 
Granada,  and  were  permitted  to  take  the  titles  of 
Infantas  or  princes.  They  intermarried  with  noble 
Spanish  families,  and  the  dukes  of  Granada,  resident 
in  Valladolid,  are  descendants  of  Don  Juan  (once 
Nazar),  and  preserve  to  the  present  day  the  blazon 
of  their  royal  ancestor  Muley  Abul  Hassan,  and  his 
motto,  Le  Galib  ile  Ala,  God  alone  is  conqueror. 

FATE  OF  ABEN  COMIXA. 

An  ancient  chronicle  which  has  long  remained  in 
manuscript,  but  has  been  published  of  late  years  in 
the  collection  of  Spanish  historical  documents,^  in- 

dil,  the  author  has  availed  himself  of  facts  recently  brought 
out  in  Alcantara’s  history  of  Granada;  which  throw  strong 
lights  on  certain  parts  of  the  subject  hitherto  covered  with 
obscurity. 

1 Padilla,  Cronica  de  Felipe  el  Eermosa.,  cap.  18,  y.  19  as 
cited  by  Alcantara. 


630 


APPENDIX, 


forms  us  of  the  subsequent  fortunes  of  the  perfidious 
Aben  Comixa.  Discarded  and  despised  by  Boabdil 
for  his  treachery,  he  repaired  to  the  Spanish  court, 
and  obtained  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  devout  queen 
Isabella  by  embracing  the  Christian  religion,  being 
baptized  under  her  auspices,  with  the  name  of  Don 
Juan  de  Granada.  He  even  carried  his  zeal  for  his 
newly  adopted  creed  so  fiir  as  to  become  a Franciscan 
friar.  By  degrees  his  affected  piety  grew  cool,  and 
the  friar’s  o;arb  became  irksome.  Takino;  occasion 
of  the  sailing  of  some  Venetian  galleys  from  Almeria, 
he  threw  off  his  religious  habit,  embarked  on  board 
of  one  of  them  and  crossed  to  Africa,  where  he 
landed  in  the  dress  of  a Spanish  cavalier. 

In  a private  interview  with  Abderraman,  the 
Moorish  king  of  Bujia,  he  related  his  whole  history, 
and  declared  that  he  had  always  been  and  still  was 
at  heart  a true  Mahometan.  Such  skill  had  he  in 
inspiring  confidence  that  the  Moorish  king  took  him 
into  favor  and  appointed  him  governor  of  Algiers. 
While  enjoying  his  new  dignity,  a Spanish  squadron 
of  four  galleys  under  the  celebrated  count  Pedro  de 
Navarro,  anchored  in  the  harbor,  in  1509.  Aben 
Comixa  paid  the  squadron  a visit  of  ceremony  in  his 
capacity  of  governor  ; gave  the  count  repeated  fetes, 
and  in  secret  conversations  with  him  laid  open  all 
the  affairs  of  the  king  of  Bujia,  and  offered  if  the 
count  should  return  with  sufficient  force,  to  deliver 
the  city  into  his  hands  and  aid  him  in  conquering 
the  whole  territory.  The  count  hastened  back  to 
Spain  and  made  known  the  proposed  treachery  to 
the  Cardinal  Ximenes,  then  prime  minister  of  Spain. 
In  the  following  month  of  January  he  was  sent  with 
♦^hirty  vessels  and  four  thousand  soldiers  to  achieve 
the  enterprise.  The  expedition  of  Navarro  was 
successful.  He  made  himself  master  of  Bujia,  and 


APPENDIX. 


631 


seized  in  triumph  on  the  royal  palace,  but  he  found 
there  the  base  Aben  Comixa  weltering  in  his  blood 
and  expiring  under  numerous  wounds.  His  treachery 
Had  been  discovered,  and  the  vengeance  of  the  king 
of  Bujia  had  closed  his  perfidious  career. 

DEATH  OF  THE  MARQUES  OF  CADIZ. 

The  renov/ned  Boderigo  Ponce  de  Leon,  Marques, 
Duke  of  Cadiz,  was  unqestionably  the  most  dis- 
tinguished among  the  cavaliers  of  Spain,  for  his  zeal, 
enterprise,  and  heroism,  in  the  great  crusade  of  Gra- 
nada. He  began  the  war  by  the  capture  of  Alhama  : 
he  was  engaged  in  almost  every  inroad  and  siege  of 
importance,  during  its  continuance  ; and  was  present 
at  the  surrender  of  the  capital,  the  closing  scene  of 
the  conquest.  The  renown  thus  acquired  was  sealed 
by  his  death,  which  happened  in  the  forty-eighth 
year  of  his  age,  almost  immediately  at  the  close  of 
his  triumphs,  and  before  a leaf  of  his  laurels  had 
time  to  wither.  He  died  at  his  palace  in  the  city 
of  Seville,  on  the  27th  day  of  August,  1492,  but  a 
few  months  after  the  surrender  of  Granada,  and  of 
an  illness  caused  by  exposures  and  fatigues  under- 
gone in  this  memorable  war.  That  honest  chronicler, 
Andres  Bernaldes,  the  curate  of  los  Palacios,  who 
was  a contemporary  of  the  marques,  draws  his  por- 
trait from  actual  knowledge  and  observation.  He 
was  universally  cited  (says  he)  as  the  most  perfect 
model  of  chivalrous  virtue  of  the  age.  He  was 
temperate,  chaste,  and  rigidly  devout ; a benignant 
commander,  a valiant  defender  of  his  vassals,  a great 
lover  of  justice,  and  an  enemy  to  all  flatterers,  liars, 
robbers,  traitors,  and  poltroons. 

His  ambition  was  of  a lofty  kind  — he  sought  to 
distinguish  himself  and  his  family,  by  heroic  and  re- 
sounding deeds ; and  to  increase  the  patrimony  of 


632 


APPENDIX. 


his  ancestors,  by  the  acquisition  of  castles,  domains, 
vassals,  and  other  princely  possessions.  His  rec- 
reations were  all  of  a warlike  nature  ; he  delighted 
in  geometry  as  applied  to  fortifications,  and  spent 
much  time  and  treasure  in  erecting  and  repairing 
tbrtresses.  He  relished  music,  but  of  a military 
kind  — the  sound  of  clarions  and  sackbuts,  of  drums 
and  trumpets.  Like  a true  cavalier,  he  was  a pro- 
tector of  the  sex  on  all  occasions,  and  an  injured 
woman  never  applied  to  him  in  vain  for  redress. 
His  prowess  was  so  well  known,  and  his  courtesy  to 
the  fair,  that  the  ladies  of  the  court,  when  they  ac- 
companied the  queen  to  the  wars,  rejoiced  to  find 
themselves  under  his  protection ; for  wherever  his 
banner  was  displayed,  the  Moors  dreaded  to  adven- 
ture. He  was  a faithful  and  devoted  friend,  but  a 
formidable  enemy ; for  he  was  slow  to  forgive,  and 
his  vengeance  was  persevering  and  terrible. 

The  death  of  this  good  and  well-beloved  cavalier 
spread  grief  and  lamentation  throughout  all  ranks. 
His  relations,  dependents,  and  companions  in  arms, 
put  on  mourning  for  his  loss  ; and  so  numerous  were 
they,  that  half  of  Seville  was  clad  in  black.  None, 
however,  deplored  his  death  more  deeply  and  sin- 
cerely than  his  friend  and  chosen  companion,  Don 
Alonzo  de  Aguilar. 

The  funeral  ceremonies  were  of  the  most  solemn 
and  sumptuous  kind.  The  body  of  the  marques  was 
arrayed  in  a costly  shirt,  a doublet  of  brocade,  a sayo 
or  long  robe  of  black  velvet,  a marlota  or  Moorish 
tunic  of  brocade  reaching  to  the  feet,  and  scarlet 
stockings.  His  sword,  superbly  gilt,  was  girded  to 
his  side,  as  he  used  to  wear  it  when  in  the  field. 
Thus  magnificently  attired,  the  body  was  inclosed  in 
a coffin,  which  was  covered  with  black  velvet,  and 
decorated  with  a cross  of  white  damask.  It  was  then 


APPENDIX. 


688 


placed  on  a sumptuous  bier,  in  the  centre  of  the 
great  hall  of  the  palace.  Here  the  duchess  made 
great  lamentation  over  the  body  of  her  lord,  in  which 
she  was  joined  by  her  train  of  damsels  and  attend- 
ants, as  well  as  by  the  pages  and  esquires,  and  in- 
numerable vassals. 

In  the  close  of  the  evening,  just  before  the  Ave 
Maria,  the  funeral  train  issued  from  the  palace.  Ten 
banners  were  borne  around  the  bier,  the  particular 
trophies  of  the  marques,  won  from  the  Moors  by  his 
valor  in  individual  enterprises,  before  king  Ferdinand 
had  commenced  the  war  of  Granada.  The  procession 
was  swelled  by  an  immense  train  of  bishops,  priests, 
and  friars  of  different  orders,  together  with  the  civil 
and  military  authorities,  and  all  the  chivalry  of  Sev- 
ille, headed  by  the  count  of  Cifuentes,  at  that  time 
intendente  or  commander  of  the  city.  It  moved 
slowly  and  solemnly  through  the  streets,  stopping  oc- 
casionally, and  chanting  litanies  and  responses.  Two 
hundred  and  forty  waxen  tapers  shed  a light  like  the 
day  about  the  bier.  The  balconies  and  windows 
were  crowded  with  ladies,  who  shed  tears  as  the 
funeral  train  passed  by  ; while  the  women  of  the 
lower  classes  were  loud  in  their  lamentations,  as  if  be- 
wailing the  loss  of  a father  or  a brother.  On  ap- 
proaching the  convent  of  St.  Augustine,  the  monks 
came  forth  with  the  cross  and  tapers,  and  eight 
censers,  and  conducted  the  body  into  the  church, 
where  it  lay  in  state  until  all  the  vigils  were  per- 
formed, by  the  different  orders  ; after  which  it  was 
deposited  in  the  family  tomb  of  the  Ponces  in  the 
same  church,  and  the  ten  banners  were  suspended 
over  the  sepulchre.^ 

The  tomb  of  the  valiant  Poderigo  Ponce  de  Leon, 

1 Cura  dt  los  Palacios,  c.  101. 


634 


APPENDIX, 


with  his  banners  mouldering  above  it,  remained  for 
ages  an  object  of  veneration  with  all  who  had  read 
or  heard  of  his  virtues  and  achievements.  In  the 
year  1810,  how^ever,  the  chapel  was  sacked  by  the 
French,  its  altars  were  overturned,  and  the  sepulchres 
of  the  family  of  the  Ponces  shattered  to  pieces. 
Idle  present  duchess  of  Benevente,  the  worthy  de- 
scendant of  this  illustrious  and  heroic  line,  has  since 
piously  collected  the  ashes  of  her  ancestors,  restored 
the  altar,  and  repaired  the  chapel.  The  sepulchres, 
however,  were  utterly  destroyed  ; an  inscription  in 
gold  letters,  on  the  wall  of  the  chapel,  to  the  right 
of  the  altar,  is  all  that  denotes  the  place  of  sepulture 
of  the  brave  Ponce  de  Leon. 

THE  LEGEND  OF  'THE  DEATH  OF  DON  ALONZO  DE 
AGUILAR. 

To  such  as  feel  an  interest  in  the  fortune  of  the 
valiant  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  the  chosen  friend 
and  companion  in  arms  of  Ponce  de  Leon,  marques 
of  Cadiz,  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished  heroes 
of  the  war  of  Granada,  a few  particulars  of  his  re- 
markable fate  will  not  be  unacceptable. 

For  several  years  after  the  conquest  of  Granada, 
the  country  remained  feverish  and  unquiet.  The 
zealous  efforts  of  the  Catholic  clergy  to  effect  the 
conversion  of  the  infidels,  and  the  coercion  used  for 
that  purpose  by  government,  exasperated  the  stub- 
born Moors  of  the  mountains.  Several  missionaries 
were  maltreated ; and  in  the  town  of  Dayrin,  two  of 
them  were  seized,  and  exhorted,  with  many  menaces, 
to  embrace  the  Moslem  faith  ; on  their  resolutely  re- 
fusing, they  were  killed  with  staves  and  stones,  by 
the  Moorish  women  and  children,  and  their  bodies 
burnt  to  ashes. ^ 

I Cura  dt  los  Palacios^  c.  1G5. 


APPENDIX. 


635 


Upon  this  event  a body  of  Christian  cavaliers  as- 
sembled in  Andalusia  to  the  number  of  eight  hun- 
dred, and,  without  waiting  for  orders  from  the  king, 
revenged  the  death  of  these  martyrs,  by  plundering 
and  laying  waste  the  Moorish  towns  and  villages. 
The  Moors  fled  to  the  mountains,  and  their  cause 
was  espoused  by  many  of  their  nation,  who  inhabited 
those  rugged  regions.  The  storm  of  rebellion  began 
to  gather,  and  mutter  its  thunders  in  the  Alpuxarras. 
They  were  echoed  from  the  Serrania  of  Ronda,  ever 
ready  for  rebellion ; but  the  strongest  hold  of  the 
insurgents  was  in  the  Sierra  Yermeja,  or  chain  of 
Red  Mountains,  which  lie  near  the  sea,  the  savage 
rocks  and  precipices  of  which  may  be  seen  from 
Gibraltar. 

When  king  Ferdinand  heard  of -these  tumults,  he 
issued  a proclamation  ordering  all  the  Moors  of  the 
insurgent  regions  to  leave  them  within  ten  days,  and 
repair  to  Castile  ; giving  secret  instructions,  however 
that  those  who  should  voluntarily  embrace  the  Chris- 
tian faith  might  be  permitted  to  remain.  At  the 
same  time,  he  ordered  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  and 
the  counts  of  Urena  and  Cifuentes,  to  march  against 
the  rebels. 

Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  was  at  Cordova,  when  he 
received  the  commands  of  the  king.  “ What  force 
is  allotted  us  for  this  expedition  ? said  he.  On 
being  told,  he  perceived  that  the  number  of  troops 
was  far  from  adequate.  “ When  a man  is  dead,”  said 
he,  we  send  four  men  into  his  house  to  bring  forth 
the  body.  We  are  now  sent  to  chastise  these  Moors, 
who  are  alive,  vigorous,  in  open  rebellion,  and  en- 
sconced in  their  castles ; yet  they  do  not  give  us  man 
to  man.  These  words  of  the  brave  Alonzo  de  Agui- 
lar were  afterwards  frc(piently  repeated ; but  though 
be  saw  the  desperate  nature  of  the  enterprise,  he  did 
not  hesitate  to  undertake  it. 


636 


APPENDIX. 


Don  Alonzo  was  at  that  time  in  the  fifty-first  year 
of  his  age  : a warrior,  in  whom  the  fire  of  youth  was 
yet  unquenched,  though  tempered  by  experience. 
The  greater  part  of  his  life  had  been  passed  in  camp 
and  field,  until  danger  was  as  his  habitual  element. 
His  muscular  frame  had  acquired  the  firmness  of  iron, 
without  the  rigidity  of  age.  His  armor  and  weapons 
seemed  to  have  become  a part  of  his  nature,  and  he 
sat  like  a man  of  steel  on  his  powerful  war-horse. 

He  took  with  him,  on  this  expedition,  his  son  Don 
Pedro  de  Cordova,  a youth  of  bold  and  generous 
spirit,  in  the  freshness  of  his  days,  and  armed  and 
arrayed  with  the  bravery  of  a young  Spanish  cav- 
alier. When  the  populace  of  Cordova  beheld  the 
veteran  father,  the  warrior  of  a thousand  battles, 
leading  forth  his  son  to  the  field,  they  bethought 
themselves  of  the  family  appellation : “ Behold,’’  cried 
they,  “ the  eagle  teaching  his  young  to  fly  ! Long 
live  the  valiant  line  of  Aguilar ! ” ^ 

The  prowess  of  Don  Alonzo,  and  of  his  companions 
in  arms,  was  renowned  throughout  the  Moorish  towns. 
At  their  approach,  therefore,  numbers  of  the  Moors 
submitted,  and  hastened  to  Ronda  to  embrace  Chris- 
tianity. Among  the  mountaineers,  however,  were 
many  of  the  Gandules,  a tribe  from  Africa,  too  proud 
of  spirit  to  bend  their  necks  to  the  yoke.  At  their 
head  was  a Moor  named  El  Feri  of  Ben  Estepar, 
renowned  for  strength  and  courage.  At  his  insti- 
gation, his  followers  gathered  together  their  families 
and  most  precious  effects,  placed  them  on  mules,  and 
driving  before  them  their  flocks  and  herds,  abandoned 
their  valleys,  and  retired  up  the  craggy  passes  of  the 
Siena  Yermeja.  On  the  summit  was  a fertile  plain, 
surrounded  by  rocks  and  precipices,  which  formed  a 
natural  fortress.  Here  El  Feri  placed  all  the  women 
1 Aguilar  — the  Spanish  for  eagle. 


APPENDIX. 


637 


and  children,  and  all  the  property.  By  his  orders, 
his  followers  piled  great  stones  on  the  rocks  and 
cliffs  wdiich  commanded  the  defiles  and  the  steep 
sides  of  the  mountain,  and  prepared  to  defend  every 
pass  that  led  to  his  place  of  refuge. 

The  Christian  commanders  arrived,  and  pitched 
their  camp  before  the  town  of  Monarda,  a strong 
place,  curiously  fortified,  and  situated  at  the  foot  of 
the  highest  part  of  the  Sierra  Yermeja.  Here  they 
remained  for  several  days,  unable  to  compel  a sur- 
render. They  were  separated  from  the  skirt  of  the 
mountain  by  a deep  barranca  or  ravine,  at  the  bottom 
of  which  flowed  a small  stream.  The  Moors,  com- 
manded by  El  Feri,  drew  down  from  their  mountain 
height,  and  remained  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
brook,  to  defend  a pass  which  led  up  to  their  strong- 
hold. 

One  afternoon,  a number  of  Christian  soldiers,  in 
mere  bravado,  seized  a banner,  crossed  the  brook, 
and,  scrambling  up  the  opposite  bank,  attacked  the 
Moors.  They  were  followed  by  numbers  of  their 
companions,  some  in  aid,  some  in  emulation,  but  most 
in  hope  of  booty,  A sharp  action  ensued  on  the 
mountain  side.  The  Moors  were  greatly  superior  in 
number,  and  had  the  vantage-ground.  When  the 
counts  of  Urena  and  Cifuentes  beheld  this  skirmish, 
they  asked  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  his  opinion : 
“ My  opinion,’’  said  he,  was  given  at  Cordova,  and 
remains  the  same  : this  is  a desperate  enterprise : 
however,  the  Moors  are  at  hand,  and  if  they  suspect 
weakness  in  us,  it  will  increase  their  courage  and 
our  peril.  Forward  then  to  the  attack,  and  I trust 
in  God  we  shall  gain  a victory.”  So  saying,  he  led 
his  troops  into  the  battle.^ 

On  the  skirts  of  the  mountain  were  several  level 
1 Bleda,  ]ib.  5,  c.  26. 


638 


APPENDIX, 


places,  like  terraces ; here  the  Christians  pressed 
valiantly  upon  the  Moors,  and  had  the  advantage ; 
but  the  latter  retreated  to  the  steep  and  craggy 
heights,  whence  they  hurled  darts  and  rocks  upon 
their  assailants.  They  defended  their  passes  and 
defiles  with  valor,  but  were  driven  from  height  to 
height,  until  they  reached  the  plain  on  the  summit 
of  the  mountain,  where  their  wives  and  children  were 
sheltered.  Plere  they  would  have  made  a stand : 
but  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  with  his  son  Don  Pedro, 
charged  upon  them  at  the  head  of  three  hundred 
men,  and  put  them  to  flight  with  great  carnage. 
While  they  were  pursuing  the  flying  enemy,  the  rest 
of  the  army,  thinking  the  victory  achieved,  dispersed 
themselves  over  the  little  plain  in  search  of  plunder. 
They  pursued  the  shrieking  females,  tearing  off  their 
necklaces,  bracelets,  and  anklets  of  gold  ; and  they 
found  so  much  treasure  of  various  kinds  collected  in 
this  spot,  that  they  threw  by  their  armor  and  weap- 
ons, to  load  themselves  with  booty. 

Evening  was  closing.  The  Christians,  intent  upon 
spoil,  had  ceased  to  pursue  the  Moors,  and  the  latter 
were  arrested  in  their  flight  by  the  cries  of  their 
wives  and  children.  Their  leader,  El  Feri,  threw 
himself  before  them : Friends,  soldiers,”  cried  he, 

‘‘  whither  do  you  fly  ? Whither  can  you  seek  refuge, 
where  the  enemy  cannot  follow  you  ? Your  wives, 
your  children,  are  behind  you  — turn  and  defend 
them  ; you  have  no  chance  for  safety,  but  from  the 
weapons  in  your  hands.” 

The  Moors  turned  at  his  words.  They  beheld  the 
Christians  scattered  about  the  plain,  many  of  them 
without  armor,  and  all  encumbered  with  spoil. 
“ Now  is  the  time  ! ” shouted  El  Feri  ; “ charge  upon 
them  while  laden  with  your  plunder.  I will  open  a 
path  for  you  ! ” He  rushed  to  the  attack,  followed 


APPENDIX. 


639 


by  his  Moors,  with  shouts  and  cries  that  echoed 
through  the  mountains.  The  scattered  Christians 
were  seized  with  panic,  and  throwing  down  their 
booty,  began  to  fly  in  all  directions.  Don  Alonzo  de 
Aguilar  advanced  his  banner,  and  endeavored  to  rally 
them.  Finding  his  horse  of  no  avail  in  these  rocky 
heights,  he  dismounted,  and  caused  his  men  to  do 
the  same ; he  had  a small  band  of  tried  followers, 
with  which  he  opposed  a bold  front  to  the  Moors, 
calling  on  the  scattered  troops  to  rally  in  the  rear. 

ISTight  had  completely  closed.  It  prevented  the 
Moors  from  seeing  the  smallness  of  the  force  with 
which  they  were  contending;  and  Don  Alonzo  and 
his  cavaliers  dealt  their  blows  so  vigorously,  that, 
aided  by  the  darkness,  they  seemed  multiplied  to  ten 
times  their  number.  Unfortunately,  a small  cask  of 
gunpowder  blew  up,  near  to  the  scene  of  action. 
It  shed  a momentary  but  brilliant  light  over  all  the 
plain,  and  on  every  rock  and  cliff.  The  Moors  be- 
held, with  surprise,  that  they  were  opposed  by  a 
mere  handful  of  men,  and  that  the  greater  part  of 
the  Christians  were  flying  from  the  field.  They  put 
up  loud  shouts  of  triumph.  While  some  continued 
the  conflict  with  redoubled  ardor,  others  pursued  the 
fugitives,  hurling  after  them  stones  and  darts,  and 
discharging  showers  of  arrows.  Many  of  the  Chris- 
tians, in  their  terror  and  their  ignorance  of  the 
mountains,  rushed  headlong  from  the  brinks  of  pre- 
cipices, and  were  dashed  in  pieces. 

Don  Alonzo  still  maintained  his  ground ; but, 
while  some  of  the  Moors  assailed  him  in  front,  others 
galled  him  with  all  kinds  of  missiles  from  the  im- 
pending* cliffs.  Some  of  the  cavaliers,  seeing  the 
hopeless  nature  of  the  conflict,  proposed  to  abandon 
the  height  and  retreat  down  the  mountain  : No,” 

said  Don  Alonzo,  proudly,  never  did  the  banner 


640 


APPENDIX. 


of  the  house  of  Aguilar  retreat  one  foot  in  the  field 
of  battle/'  He  had  scarcely  uttered  these  words, 
when  his  son  Pedro  was  stretched  at  his  feet.  A 
stone  hurled  from  a cliff  had  struck  out  two  of  his 
teeth,  and  a lance  passed  quivering  through  his  thigh. 
The  youth  attempted  to  rise,  and,  with  one  knee  on 
the  ground,  to  fight  by  the  side  of  his  father.  Don 
Alonzo,  finding  him  wounded,  urged  him  to  quit  the 
field.  Fly,  my  son  ! " said  he ; “ let  us  not  put 
everything  at  venture  upon  one  hazard.  Conduct 
thyself  as  a good  Christian,  and  live  to  comfort  and 
honor  thy  mother." 

Don  Pedro  still  refused  to  leave  his  side.  Where- 
upon Don  Alonzo  ordered  several  of  his  followers  to 
bear  him  off  by  force.  His  friend  Don  Francisco 
Alvarez  of  Cordova,  taking  him  in  his  arms,  con- 
veyed him  to  the  quarters  of  the  count  of  Ureha, 
who  had  halted  on  the  height,  at  some  distance  from 
the  scene  of  battle,  for  the  purpose  of  rallying  and 
succoring  the  fugitives.  Almost  at  the  same  moment, 
the  count  beheld  his  own  son,  Don  Pedro  Giron, 
brought  in  grievously  wounded. 

^In  the  mean  time,  Don  Alonzo,  with  two  hundred 
cavaliers,  maintained  the  unequal  contest.  Sur- 
rounded by  foes,  they  fell,  one  after  another,  like  so 
many  stags  encircled  by  the  hunters.  Don  Alonzo 
was  the  last  survivor,  without  horse,  and  almost  with- 
out armor  — his  corselet  unlaced,  and  his  bosom 
gashed  with  wounds.  Still  he  kept  a brave  front  to 
the  enemy,  and,  retiring  between  two  rocks,  defended 
himself  with  such  valor,  that  the  slain  lay  in  a heap 
before  him. 

He  was  assailed  in  this  retreat,  by  a Moor  of  sur- 
passing strength  and  fierceness.  The  contest  was 
for  some  time  doubtful ; but  Don  Alonzo  received  a 
wound  in  the  head,  and  another  in  the  breast,  which 


APPENDIX. 


641 


made  him  stagger.  Closing  and  grappling  with  his 
foe,  they  had  a desperate  struggle,  until  the  Chris- 
tian cavalier,  exhausted  by  his  wounds,  fell  upon  his 
back.  He  still  retained  his  grasp  upon  his  enemy : 
“ Think  not,”  cried  he,  “ thou  hast  an  easy  prize  ; 
know  that  I am  Don  Alonzo,  he  of  Aguilar ! ” — 
“ If  thou  art  Don  Alonzo,”  replied  the  Moor,  “ know 
that  I am  El  Feri  of  Ben  Estepar.”  They  continued 
their  deadly  struggle,  and  both  drew  their  daggers ; 
but  Don  Alonzo  was  exhausted  by  seven  ghastly 
wounds ; while  he  was  yet  struggling,  his  heroic  soul 
departed  from  his  body,  and  he  expired  in  the  grasp 
of  the  Moor. 

Thus  feU  Alonzo  de  Aguilar,  the  mirror  of  Anda- 
lusian chivalry  — one  of  the  most  powerful  grandees 
of  Spain,  for  person,  blood,  estate,  and  office.  For 
forty  years  he  had  made  successful  war  upon  the 
Moors  — in  childhood  by  his  household  and  retainers, 
in  manhood  by  the  prowess  of  his  arm,  and  in  the 
wisdom  and  valor  of  his  spirit.  His  pennon  had  al- 
ways been  foremost  in  danger ; he  had  been  general 
of  armies,  viceroy  of  Andalusia,  and  the  author  of 
glorious  enterprises,  in  which  kings  were  vanquished, 
and  mighty  alcaydes  and  warriors  laid  low.  He  had 
slain  many  Moslem  chiefs  with  his  own  arm,  and 
among  others  the  renowned  Ali  Atar  of  Loxa,  fight- 
ing foot  to  foot,  on  the  banks  of  the  Xenil.  His 
judgment,  discretion,  magnanimity,  and  justice,  vied 
with  his  prowess.  He  was  the  fifth  lord  of  his  war- 
like house,  that  fell  in  battle  with  the  Moors. 

“ His  soul,”  observes  the  worthy  padre  Abarca, 
‘‘  it  is  believed,  ascended  to  heaven,  to  receive  the 
•reward  of  so  Christian  a captain  ; for  that  very  day, 
he  had  armed  himself  with  the  sacraments  of  confes- 
sion and  communion.”  ^ 

^ Abarca,  Anales  de  Aragon,  Rev  xxx.  cap.  ii. 

41 


642 


APPENDIX. 


The  Moors,  elated  with  tUeir  success,  pursued  the 
fugitive  Christians  down  the  defiles  and  sides  of  the 
mountains.  It  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that 
the  count  de  Ureha  could  bring  off  a remnant  of  his 
forces  from  that  disastrous  height.  Fortunately,  on 
the  lower  slope  of  the  mountain,  they  found  the  rear- 
guard of  the  army,  led  by  the  count  de  Cifuentes, 
who  had  crossed  the  brook  and  the  ravine  to  come 
to  their  assistance.  As  the  fugitives  came  flying  in 
headlong  terror  down  the  mountain,  it  was  with  dif- 
ficulty the  count  kept  his  own  troops  from  giving  way 
in  panic,  and  retreating  in  confusion  across  the  brook. 
He  succeeded,  however,  in  maintaining  order,  in  rally- 
ing the  fugitives,  and  checking  the  fury  of  the  Moors  : 
then,  taking  his  station  on  a rocky  eminence,  he 
maintained  his  post  until  morning ; sometimes  sustain- 
ing violent  attacks,  at  other  times  rushing  forth  and 
making  assaults  upon  the  enemy.  When  morning 
dawned,  the  Moors  ceased  to  combat,  and  drew  up 
to  the  summit  of  the  mountain. 

It  was  then  that  the  Christians  had  time  to  breathe, 
and  to  ascertain  the  sad  loss  they  had  sustained. 
Among  the  many  valiant  cavaliers  who  had  fallen, 
was  Don  Francisco  Ramirez  of  Madrid,  who  had 
been  captain-general  of  artillery  throughout  the  war 
of  Granada,  and  contributed  greatly  by  his  valor  and 
ingenuity  to  that  renowned  conquest.  But  all  other 
griefs  and  cares  were  forgotten,  in  anxiety  for  the 
fate  of  Don  Alonzo  de  Aguilar.  His  son,  Don  Pedro 
de  Cordova,  had  been  brought  off  with  great  difficulty 
from  the  battle,  and  afterwards  lived  to  be  marques 
of  Priego ; but  of  Don  Alonzo  nothing  was  known, 
except  that  he  was  left  with  a handful  of  cavaliers,, 
fighting  valiantly  against  an  overwhelming  force. 

As  the  rising  sun  lighted  up  the  red  cliffs  of  the 
mountains,  the  soldiers  watched  with  anxious  eyes, 


APPENDIX, 


G43 


if  perchance  his  pennon  might  be  descried,  fluttering 
from  any  precipice  or  defile ; but  nothing  of  the  kind 
was  to  be  seen.  The  trumpet-call  was  repeatedly 
sounded,  but  empty  echoes  alone  replied.  A silence 
reigned  about  the  mountain  summit,  which  showed 
that  the  deadly  strife  was  over.  Now  and  then  a 
wounded  warrior  came  dragging  his  feeble  steps  from 
among  the  clefts  and  rocks  ; but,  on  being  questioned, 
he  shook  his  head  mournfully,  and  could  tell  nothing 
of  the  fate  of  his  commander. 

The  tidings  of  this  disastrous  defeat,  and  of  the 
perilous  situation  of  the  survivors,  reached  King  Fer- 
dinand at  Granada ; he  immediately  marched,  at  the 
head  of  all  the  chivalry  of  his  court,  to  the  moun- 
tains of  Ronda.  His  presence,  with  a powerful 
force,  soon  put  an  end  to  the  rebellion.  A part  of 
the  Moors  were  suffered  to  ransom  themselves,  and 
embark  for  Africa ; others  were  made  to  embrace 
Christianity ; and  those  of  the  town  where  the  Chris- 
tian missionaries  had  been  massacred,  were  sold  as 
slaves.  From  the  conquered  Moors,  the  mournful 
but  heroic  end  of  Alonzo  de  Aguilar  was  ascertained. 

On  the  morning  after  the  battle,  when  the  Moors 
«ame  to  strip  and  bury  the  dead,  the  body  of  Don 
Alonzo  was  found,  among  those  of  more  than  two 
hundred  of  his  followers,  many  of  them  alcaydes  and 
cavaliers  of  distinction.  Though  the  person  of  Don 
Alonzo  was  well  known  to  the  Moors,  being  so  dis- 
tinguished among  them  both  in  peace  and  war,  yet 
it  was  so  covered  and  disfigured  with  wounds,  that 
it  could  with  difficulty  be  recognized.  They  pre- 
served it  with  great  care,  and,  on  making  their  sub- 
mission, delivered  it  up  to  King  Ferdinand.  It  was 
conveyed  with  great  state  to  Cordova,  amidst  the 
tears  and  lamentations  of  all  Andalusia.  When  the 
fun  Will  train  enlered  Cordova,  and  the  inhabitants 


644 


APPENDIX, 


saw  the  coffin  containing  the  remains  of  their  favorite 
hero,  and  the  war-horse,  led  in  mournful  trappings, 
on  which  they  had  so  lately  seen  him  sally  forth  from 
their  gates,  there  was  a general  burst  of  grief 
throughout  the  city.  The  body  was  interred,  with 
great  pomp  and  solemnity,  in  the  church  of  St.  Hy- 
polito. 

Many  years  afterwards,  his  granddaughter,  Doha 
Catalina  of  Aguilar  and  Cordova,  marchioness  of 
Priego,  caused  his  tomb  to  be  altered.  On  examin- 
ing the  body,  the  head  of  a lance  was  found  among 
the  bones,  received  without  doubt  among  the  wounds 
of  his  last  mortal  combat.  The  name  of  this  ac- 
complished and  Christian  cavalier  has  ever  remained 
a popular  theme  of  the  chronicler  and  poet,  and  is 
endeared  to  the  public  memory  by  many  of  the 
historical  ballads  and  songs  of  his  country.  For  a 
long  time  the  people  of  Cordova  were  indignant  at 
the  brave  count  de  Urena,  who  they  thought  had 
abandoned  Don  Alonzo  in  his  extremity ; but  the 
Castilian  monarch  acquitted  him  of  all  charge  of  the 
kind,  and  continued  him  in  honor  and  office.  It  was 
proved  that  neither  he  nor  his  people  could  succor 
Don  Alonzo,  or  even  know  of  his  peril,  from  the 
darkness  of  the  night.  There  is  a mournful  little 
Spanish  ballad  or  romance,  which  breathes  the  public 
grief  on  this  occasion  ; and  the  populace,  on  the  re- 
turn of  the  count  de  Ureha  to  Cordova,  assailed  him 
with  one  of  its  plaintive  and  reproachful  verses : — 

Count  Urena!  count  Urena! 

Tell  us,  where  is  Don  Alonzo ! 

(Dezid  Conde  de  Urena! 

Don  Alonzo,  donde  queda?)i 

1 Bleda,  lib.  5,  cap.  26 


.■41 


DP 

122  Irving. 

.17  Chronicle  of  the  con- 

1872  quest  of  Granada. 


2 8 1989 


DP 

122 

.17 

1672 


Irving. 

Chronicle  of  the  conquest 
of  Granada. 


oewco 


